Stop the insanity in Florida
Florida outdated model of criminal justice to deal with the mentally ill does not work. That's why so many defendants are arrested again, often more than once, after being acquitted of crimes because of insanity.
For three years, the legislature had a chance to reform the system and opted to do nothing. This should not be an option next year.
Individuals who determines the courts are incompetent to stand trial were sent to forensic hospitals. The treatment, however, does not address their mental illness.They are stabilized by medication and participate in mock trials until they are competent to assist in their defense. Generally, they are then discharged as a result of madness, or, if convicted, sentenced to time served. They return to the community in the same mental state in which they have committed the offense.
Is it any wonder they re-offend? A Post investigation by Charles Elmore and Michelle Quigley found that at least 29 percent of accused Palm Beach County paid by the madness over the last 20 years has been arrested again, some just a week after the verdict. The cost of this inefficiency: $ 210 million per year.
"It meets the definition of madness," said Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Steve Leifman, who serves as special advisor on criminal justice and mental health to the Supreme Court of Florida. "The state is broken, and a fraction of that money could go to get this special treatment to keep them out of the criminal justice system. We spend a quarter of a billion dollars mainly for someone to take a plea and get them out the door without treatment."
Judge Leifman sought more money for community mental health programs, in which those who commit minor offenses can get effective treatment, rather than simply stabilized for court appearances. Attempts to reform the system failed in 2009, 2010 and again this year. In 2009 and 2010, the Senate was the problem. This year, the House, which adopted the project in 2009 and 2010, did not even take the Senate after it passed unanimously. Priority Speaker Dean Cannon of trying to undermine the independence of the Supreme Court of Florida would not allow any criminal law.
Judge Steven Leifman - News
"It meets the definition of insanity," said Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Steve Leifman, who serves as special adviser on criminal justice and mental health to the Florida Supreme Court. "The state is broke, and a fraction of that money could go to
Judge Steven Leifman - Bookshelf
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