Helping Clients with Behavioral Health Issues Navigate the Criminal Justice System

Elizabeth Kelley is a criminal defense lawyer with a nationwide practice specializing in representing people with mental illness and intellectual/developmental disabilities. She built her practice integrating both criminal defense and mental illness because she firmly believes those with mental disabilities do not belong in the criminal justice system, and jail and prison are not treatment. Elizabeth discusses the range of people with all different types of mental and intellectual disabilities she represents in her practice, the detrimental effects the criminal justice system has on people with mental disabilities, and the lack of programs and resources for these individuals.