CRIMINAL DEFENCE DISABILITY REPORTS

Any person facing a criminal charge requires a comprehensive disability report. Without an understanding of the person’s functional restrictions the court will not be able to make adjustments for the person in the court process. If they do not understand the person's limitations with respect to the alleged offence they will make assumptions about their motivations.  

Criminal Defence Disability Reports involve speaking to the expert either virtually or in person for an hour or two. The questions can appear odd as they include the personal life, family and friends and the difficulties that they have with activities of daily living. Problems in these areas can give clues as to missed medical diagnoses and explain any inconsistencies in the case. 

The criminal justice system does not automatically arrange a Criminal Defence Disability Report. This can lead to the legal process being delayed by a judge asking for further evidence. Many remand prisoners suffer significant mental health problems which could be avoided by prompt assessment of their disabilities. 

Without a Criminal Defence Disability Report there is a high risk of something going wrong. Few people involved in the criminal justice system do not have some type of disability. These problems are often hidden and often the reason why the person is in the system to start with. The accused or their family can also instruct an expert privately without waiting for the lawyer. 

Most causes of disability are treatable or adjustments can be made to mitigate the risks. Without these interventions the person also has a high risk of returning to the criminal justice system within a short period of time. This is bad for the person but also society as a whole. The relatively low cost of a direct to expert Criminal Defence Disability Report compared with other types of report makes it a clear first choice.