Advising Mentally Disordered Offenders: A Practical Guide

Inquiries into deaths caused by mentally disordered offenders have highlighted the special difficulties which this demanding group pose to the criminal justice system. Shortcomings in the training and expertise of legal representatives in this area have frequently been exposed. This book helps provide legal representatives with the specialized knowledge they need when advising mentally disordered offenders at the police station and magistrates court. It gives guidance on: mental disorder; procedures at the police station; the police interview; diversion; and appearance at the magistrates' court. Including case law, Home Office guidelines, extracts from the PACE Code of Practice, checklists and useful addresses, this guide should prove useful to solicitors advising mentally disordered offenders.