Legal Question in Disability Law in Missouri
Domestic assault
my partner of 15 yrs has a mental illness (bipolar disorder)
he had become violent and I had to have him arrested I also filed a restraining order (temp) but did not appear to make it permanent he is in an inpatient treatment facility which is what I'd been trying to get done for several years w/o success but now that he has gotten medication and help I don't want him to go to jail we don't have the money for a lawyer so he has a public defender is there anything i can do as the victim to help him or what kind of punishment is he looking at thank you for your time
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Domestic assault
Once you file a police report, it's pretty much out of your hands. Too many people play russian roulette with restraining orders and live...to regret it.
HOWEVER, you can assist the court understand what's going on and state that you would request leniency provided he remains in treatment. Then, consider getting a new partner, because this disease cannot be cured and you are opening yourself up to a dangerous situation.
And, NO, this is not discrimination against the mentally ill: if he is violent, that changes the equation and you have to think FIRST of your own safety, THEN of helping him.