Advising Mentally Disordered Offenders: A Practical Guide 2nd ed

Most criminal practitioners will encounter clients with mental health difficulties and it’s important that duty solicitors and criminal lawyers are able to recognise the signs and understand the correct processes and procedures in dealing with the mentally disordered offender.

This new edition has been fully updated to include all the changes in the criminal legislation along with those changes introduced by the Mental Health Act 2007, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and their Codes of Practice. The book is a guide for all practitioners representing MDOs at all stages of the criminal justice system. It gives essential guidance on:-

• the medical and legal definitions of mental disorder
• procedures in the police station from interview through to charge
• representation in the magistrates’ court including assessments, bail, summary trials and sentencing
• Proceedings in the Crown Court such as fitness to plead, diminished responsibility, insanity, preliminary hearings and disposals.

Comprehensive, yet concise, Advising Mentally Disordered Offenders contains all the pertinent information on the subject, including extracts, checklists and useful contacts, making it required reading for anyone advising mentally disordered offenders.