Many people with a mental illness or addiction isolate themselves and go it alone. I see them daily in my courtroom. You would be shocked by how much court time judges spend handling people’s mental health and addiction issues.

Suppose the court questions a criminal defendant’s competency to proceed. When that happens, one or more doctors evaluate the defendant. The state cannot try incompetent defendants before they regain their competency. This delay ensures that they understand the charges, the punishments they face, and the legal process. Also, mindful defendants can help their defense lawyers.

As a society, we highly value liberty and freedom from undue government interference. People with mental issues or addictions also have privacy, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness rights, and the law jealously protects their freedoms.

Click Here To Read The Full Article