Expert: Libby Bonner - 1/9/2009

Question
My wife was recently convicted of communicating a threat and given a sentence stringer that that doled out to persons who are convicted of assault based on evidence of a manic episode that happened in January of 2006.  The judge heard what happened and his demeanor completely changed for the rest of the trial.  We have appealed his judgement.  Who can we contact to assist in our appeal, specifically in that her being bipolar was instantly turned into her being a threat despite th efact that things have been well since then.

Answer
Start w/ bazelon.org.  See if they know of similar cases, or are familiar w/ that law in your state, or can recommend an atty.

If nothing there, contact nami.org to find your state NAMI office.  Contact them to see if they know of anyone in your state doing mental health law for your kind of problem.

After that, you may be left w/ contacting the bar assoc for your state.

Pls let me know if any of these popped a useable name.  And, when the dust settles, I would appreciate hearing in a little more detail the facts of your situation.