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Judges Can’t Order Treatment for Many Who Have Mental Illness

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
FOX 13
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

It’s something those who work for Florida’s court system say is too common: Charles Grant, 53, can’t be forced to take medication for his schizophrenia despite being arrested dozens of times. That’s because he hasn’t committed a felony, and judges can’t force treatment on a defendant for a misdemeanor. So he keeps getting arrested and released, FOX 13 reports. 

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.