This book is designed for every attorney who handles criminal cases, regardless of experience with cases involving people who have mental illness or with social justice topics. The concepts in the book are deep enough to provide new insights to those well versed in topics covered, while simple enough that novices can walk away with immediately usable techniques and a conceptual framework for incorporating equitable lawyering into their practice. Finally, a list of tools and resources follows each chapter to support further learning and to address cases at hand. Following the theme of equity, all tools and resources listed are accessible to all attorneys, regardless of financial and resources availability.
Table of Contents
Part I: Foundations
Scoping the Problem
Getting Grounded: Foundational Practice Tips for Recognizing Mental Illness Stigma
Part II: How Criminal Justice Professionals Can Help Advance Equity
Ethical Pathways to Advocacy
Establishing Lawyering Tools for Advance Equity
Part III: Equity on Both Sides of the Adversarial System
The Role of Prosecutors in Advancing Equity
The Role of Defense Attorneys in Advancing Equity
Part IV: Advancing Equity Across the Criminal Justice Continuum
Intent Criminal Justice Involvement and Pre-Adjudication
Post-Adjudication and the Aftermath of Criminal Justice Involvement
Special Considerations for Witnesses and Survivors of Crime