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Nov. 11, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: People may not be aware that neurodivergent children and adults as well as those experiencing mental health crises can often be charged with felony assault or felony assault and battery when they are experiencing a crisis. Virginia law stipulates that a police officer does not need to be physically touched or injured for charges like this to be filed.
These charges are often dismissed by a judge. For instance, in 2023 alone, there were 3,894 cases involving felony assault of an officer. Fifty-five percent of these charges were dropped and 22 percent led to less serious convictions. Only 13 percent of defendants were found guilty.
Neurodivergent and other individuals experiencing crises accused of these charges can spend weeks or months in jail before their charges are dismissed or result in conviction. Lawmakers last year tried to pass bills to shield individuals with differing abilities from these charges, but Governor Youngkin vetoed them. He said that protections for these people would burden the court system and be detrimental to police officers. But I would think that convictions like this cause burdens for both police and those accused.
A good book to reference is “Insane” by Alisa Roth. A good website that has resources to help citizens get involved in this matter is JusticeForwardVA.com. EMILY PFISTER Buena Vista
