Jasper County initiative aims to enhance legal system for defendants with mental health challenges [Video]

JOPLIN, Mo. — Dozens of judges, attorneys, and social workers are working together this week – their focus, improve the local legal system for defendants with mental health issues.

“Every family has about someone that struggles with mental illness or substance use disorder. And sadly, those folks can sometimes get involved in the criminal justice system,” said Gary Lynch, MO Appellate Judge, Ret.

And helping those defendants with better outcomes is the goal this week.

More than 40 professionals connected to the Jasper County legal system and mental health services are focusing on what could improve.

“How do we keep offering them hope for recovery? But yet so often, treatment doesn’t get done because they’re not ready for. But when they do get ready for it, how can we make certain that those resources are available there and get them into treatment into a life of recovery because recovery is …