Articles Tagged with jail mental health services NC

The relationship between mental health and the criminal justice system in North Carolina exposes structural challenges that extend far beyond the walls of the courtroom. While jails are traditionally viewed as holding facilities for criminal defendants accused of crimes, it is not uncommon for people experiencing acute mental health crises to be booked into jail rather than admitted to a psychiatric or substance use treatment facility equipped to provide appropriate care.

For criminal defense lawyers and other legal professionals working in big cities like Charlotte, a significant portion of the criminal court docket touches mental health in some form—often not because the court is the proper venue, but because no better options exist. All too often, jails and courtrooms serve as a kind of revolving door for people suffering from chronic mental illness. Someone in crisis may be arrested on a low-level charge, detained, and later released, only to return to custody days or weeks later under similar circumstances.

Some defendants are charged with misdemeanors such as public intoxication, trespassing, shoplifting, or simple drug possession. Others may face more serious felony allegations, including felony assault or breaking and entering. In certain cases, the defendant may be found legally incompetent to stand trial and must wait for mental health treatment before their case can proceed.