Over 30 Years Experience of Diminished Capacity
and Insanity Defense in Pennsylvania
What happens to a man or woman who commits a criminal act, but who suffers from mental illness? What about the person who could not understand the harm they were causing? How do we judge them and what they have done?
At The Law Offices of William R. Bernhart, we know that when people hear "insanity defense," it can arouse a strong response. But when a person has a mental disease, and that illness or defect has, indeed, rendered them unable to "appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of their acts," he or she deserves a diminished capacity or insanity defense from a skilled lawyer with the experience to achieve success in cases where the offense is directly related to a mental illness.
Resources That Help Make the Case
People with problems do bad things in stressful times. Poor health, problems with personal relationships and economic hardships are just some of the issues that can trigger a criminal act. Mounting a defense based on insanity or diminished capacity takes a team of accomplished legal and medical professionals. Along with our vast legal knowledge in this area, we work with respected psychiatrists and psychologists who are court experienced and sensitive to the needs of mentally ill criminal defense clients.
We Have the Experience to Know What Works
Unfortunately, the sickest people often do not realize that they are sick. They could be anyone from the man suffering from schizophrenia to the woman who has a chronic brain disorder — their mental illness may be responsible for a crime they've committed. Most commonly, the insanity/diminished mental capacity defense is used in cases of murder, assault and robbery. In many cases, we have had success in securing an agreement from the prosecutor's office when presenting strong evidence of mental illness
If You or a Family Member Needs Help, Call Us
When mental illness is a likely cause of a criminal act, you need the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Contact our Reading office by e-mail or call us at 610-285-8410 or toll-free at 1-866-970-1597 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
