Anytime anyone faces criminal charges, the courts generally try to get a detailed understanding of who the person is, including his background, his motives for committing the crime, the severity of the crime, and whether the person has shown remorse for his actions. Anything that could make a court decide to give someone a lesser punishment than usual for a certain crime is called a mitigating factor.
As America slowly gains awareness of mental health issues and how they can affect people’s behavior, they are increasingly being considered a mitigating factor that can impact sentencing. If you are facing criminal charges as well as underlying mental health issues, speak with an experienced Kane County, IL defense attorney to understand your options.
The Impact of Mental Health Issues on a Criminal Case
Mental health issues can affect sentencing in a criminal case in three main ways: