Conditions
Bipolar Disorder and Criminal Charges: Using Diversion to Get Back on Track
Manic and depressive episodes can lead to conduct entirely out of character. Diversion gives courts a way to respond with care.
Linking the episode to the charge
Records showing a manic or mixed episode around the time of arrest — ER visits, hospitalization, missed medication — help show the condition played a significant role.
A strong treatment plan
Psychiatric follow-up, medication management and therapy form the core of most bipolar diversion plans.
Frequently asked questions
What if I stopped taking medication before the arrest?
That is common and can actually help show the illness drove the conduct.
Talk to a mental health diversion lawyer near you
Local rules decide who qualifies. Get matched with a defense attorney who handles diversion in your county.
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