Lack of Mental Health Care Can Lead to Criminal Charges

 Posted on January 05, 2026 in Criminal Defense

In recent years, the United States has experienced a crisis affecting people who suffer from mental illnesses. Hospitals and other facilities that provide mental health treatment have been filled to capacity, making it more difficult for people to receive the care they need. Due to this lack of treatment, many people with diagnosed mental illnesses have gone on to commit criminal offenses. This has caused them to become involved in the justice system and led them to become incarcerated in jails or held in mental health facilities, which has added further strain to the system. 

As this cycle continues, more people are facing criminal charges based on actions taken when they were not in the right state of mind. To ensure that a person who suffers from a mental illness can address criminal charges and receive the proper treatment rather than being sent to jail, it is important to work with an attorney who can help defend against criminal charges. With representation from a skilled lawyer, a person can take steps to resolve a criminal case successfully and determine what resources may be available to address mental health concerns.

Mental Health Crisis Prevents People From Receiving Proper Care

Throughout the United States, the availability of mental health care has declined significantly over the past decade. During this time, nearly 100 hospitals have stopped providing inpatient mental health services. This is partially due to the lower profitability of mental health care. A disproportionate number of patients who receive psychiatric care in hospitals are either covered by Medicaid or are uninsured. Under President Donald Trump, the federal government has made significant cuts to Medicaid funding, which is likely to affect the financial stability of hospitals that provide mental health care, making it even more difficult for people to receive treatment when needed.

This problem has become even worse due to the fact that an increasing percentage of patients in mental health facilities are receiving treatment after facing criminal charges. The state of Ohio provides a striking example of this trend. In 2002, around half of all patients receiving mental health treatment had been charged with crimes. Currently, that figure is around 90 percent. At the same time, the total number of patients receiving psychiatric care decreased by 50 percent. Because of these trends, it has become difficult for people to receive mental health treatment when needed. Wait times for being admitted to an inpatient mental health facility are now longer than 30 days on average.

When mental health treatment is not available, people who suffer from mental illnesses are more likely to commit crimes. Conditions such as psychosis or schizophrenia can cause people to act violently toward others. This can lead to arrests and incarceration. While some people may receive treatment after being arrested, others may be placed in jail, where conditions are likely to lead to additional mental health problems. As the ability to receive care when needed continues to decline, more people are likely to be arrested and face criminal charges because of mental health concerns.

In situations where people who suffer from mental illnesses face criminal charges, legal representation from a skilled attorney is crucial. A person who was not fully in control of their actions will need to understand how they can demonstrate that mental health issues were responsible for what happened, and they will also need to ensure that they can receive the proper care. With the help of a legal advocate, a person can make sure their rights will be protected as they address criminal charges, defend against a conviction, and take steps to maintain stability in the future.

Contact Our Hartford Criminal Defense Lawyers

At Woolf & Ross Law Firm, LLC, we understand the concerns that people who suffer from mental illnesses may face when they become involved in the criminal justice system. We work to ensure that the full context of a situation will be addressed during a criminal case, highlighting mental health issues that affect our clients and advocating for solutions that will provide them with the proper treatment while helping them to avoid problems in the future. To learn more about the legal services we provide, contact our Connecticut criminal defense attorneys at 860-290-8690 and set up a free consultation.