Court system has been plagued by increasing numbers of criminal defendants - Essay Example

However, if it is a serious offence, they are taken to the higher-district or supreme courts for trial (Stojkovic, Kalinich and Klofas 174). However, things might become complicated if the defendant is having a mental illness or is involved in the use of illegal narcotics. Unlike other sound defendants, this class of defendants needs to have a special treatment because of the uniqueness of their conditions. For the legal process to be fair, the mentally ill suspects should be granted an opportunity to ascertain their capability of standing a trial.

It is recommended that they be tried in a different way since their condition is so unique. This is necessary because it might have made them vulnerable to committing the criminal acts they are accused of. At the same time, it might make them to be unfit to stand trial in the court of law (Welsh and Harris 82). In this regard, they should either be tried in a specially established drug and mental illness courts; be tried by specially-trained judges; or be tried in the normal courts, but on separate calendar days allocated for them.

All these are necessary because they can guarantee them the justice that they require. Unlike the other normal accused persons, those with mental illness or on illegal drugs require a special attention (Council of State Governments 41). For instance, the mentally ill defendants need to be referred to the Mental Health Review Tribunal to determine their capability and direct if they need to become forensic patients to be cared for in the hospital or correctional centers. As a patriot, I am concerned about a crime-free society.

If I got a chance, I would contribute towards eliminating criminal activities in the country. If mandated by the Chief Justice to contribute towards the possibilities of trying mentally ill criminals, I will organize my team and conduct an extensive research. This will be done by identifying the target population and actively involving them