Trial Lawyers Relentlessly Pursuing Justice
Santa Barbara Mental Health Attorneys
Individuals with mental illness are among our most vulnerable and misunderstood citizens, often ending up in locked treatment facilities or even worse, in jail. If you or a loved one suffers from mental illness and has been charged with a crime, it is imperative that you contact a knowledgeable Santa Barbara mental health lawyer immediately.
At Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP, our attorneys have helped thousands of mentally ill people stand up and fight for their rights, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss your situation and determine how we may be able to help you.
The Criminalization of Mental Illness
One out of every four Americans suffers from mental illness. With that astounding number, it is a surprising but true fact that police officers do not always have sufficient training and experience to recognize that someone who is actively psychotic, is having a manic episode, or who is taking medication as prescribed is actually mentally ill and not a danger to anyone. Too often, these individuals are perceived as a threat or under the influence of drugs or alcohol and charged with a crime, even though they have done nothing wrong.
The criminalization of mental illness is an injustice that cannot be overlooked. We believe that treatment rather than incarceration is the best solution for people entangled in the criminal justice system who have a mental illness, and if retained for your criminal defense, we will dedicate ourselves to getting your case thrown out or obtaining a not guilty verdict at trial. If that is not possible, we will explore all alternatives at our disposal for you other than jail or prison. We are also very experienced in representing persons during civil commitments and will gladly explain your rights to you and stand by your side throughout the experience to make sure that your rights are not violated.
Serving Clients Throughout the Santa Barbara Area
People are too often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and not given enough time to explain themselves. We serve people in Montecito, the UCSB area, Goleta, and Carpinteria, and throughout Central and Southern California. We are proud of listening to our clients and always keeping them informed and protected during the course of criminal proceedings, civil hospital commitments, and beyond.
Contact our Santa Barbara mental health attorneys for a compassionate and aggressive defense of your mental health-related criminal matter.
Supportive with Clients. Aggressive in Court.
Navigating the legal system can be complicated. To maximize your chance of securing the best outcome possible, it is essential that you reach out to us without delay. When you hire our firm, we will work quickly to gather every detail, examine every piece of evidence, and build a strong case.
We will not hesitate to go toe-to-toe in trial with an insurance company, corporation, prosecutor, or law enforcement officer. Regardless of the type of situation you are involved in, rest assured that we will do everything we can to protect your rights and help you secure the most favorable result possible.
Meet the Lawyers Fighting for You
The Lessem, Newstat & Tooson Team
Our Clients Are Our Focus.
When facing complex legal matters, it is not uncommon to encounter an issue that needs immediate attention from your team.
For this reason, we are available to assist our clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure any questions or concerns you may have will be addressed immediately. With around the clock service and multiple office locations, clients throughout Southern California can be confident knowing our counsel is available to them whenever and wherever they need it.
Powerful Advocacy, Proven Results.
When going through serious legal matters, do not put your case in the hands of just any attorney. Rather, work with a team who has earned a respected reputation for outstanding legal service and one with a proven track record of success.
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