Are there any special laws that allow disabled people to receive special consideration in the criminal justice system?

Yes, there are special laws in the state of Pennsylvania that allow for special consideration for those with disabilities and mental illnesses in the criminal justice system. These laws generally fall under the umbrella of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are meant to protect the rights of all disabled individuals. The ADA states that if someone with a disability or mental illness is charged with a crime, they must be provided with “reasonable accommodations.” These accommodations may include assistance with communication, like providing a sign language interpreter or an aide to help the person understand what’s happening in court, or even physical adjustments to the court room such as ramps or wheelchair friendly seating. The ADA also prohibits prosecutors and the court from discriminating against a person with a disability or mental illness and their defense attorney needs to be aware of this provision. Courts also have the option to order a mental health evaluation for the individual if it is believed that the individual’s disability or mental illness affected the criminal act. This evaluation can be taken into account by the court system when making a ruling. In the state of Pennsylvania, these protections are provided to all individuals with disabilities, regardless of age.

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Are there any special laws that allow disabled people to receive special consideration in the criminal justice system?

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