‘Guidance for prosecutors on dealing with defendants with mental health issues has been updated to reflect growing understanding of different conditions, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced today. The revised guidance is designed to assist decision making throughout the life of a criminal case, from the initial decision to prosecute, through fitness to plead to sentencing. It has been developed to understand changes in the mental health landscape such as diversion services, and community concerns about the impact on the criminal justice system. A consultation has now been launched so that the views of the public, charities, and health and legal professionals can be considered further before the guidance is finalised.’
Full press release
Crown Prosecution Service, 12th March 2019
Source: www.cps.gov.uk