Philosophy
My philosophy with mental health clients before the criminal courts.
It is an honour and privilege to represent clients with mental health problems before the criminal courts. Many times the clients (who are on Legal Aid and/or without any family support) are charged with relatively minor offences for which they face a potential of lifetime detention in a mental health institution at the hands of a well meaning crown attorney or Judge.
Sometimes charges are laid by family members after a well meaning police officer tells them “it is the only way you can force him/her to get help”. Almost invariably these cases propose unique challenges. Finding appropriate housing and fashioning release plans for accused facing bail hearings in these situations while under time pressures can be extremely challenging. It is also a pleasure to work with the many court staff that regularly deal with mental health clients in the various court houses around Toronto.
