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

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. 

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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.