Legal Question in Criminal Law in New York

bipolar and crime

My daughter is an adult and has been diagnosed bipolar. Last year she took a law suit settlement and supported a boyfriens and his entire family. Mania became outrageous and she continued to support them after the money ran out by borrowing and stealing from family. She tried to commit suicide in January and then we found out she was pregnant. The families she was supporting began threatening her to continue to pay and her boyfriend began hitting her to ensure payment. Charges have been filed against him with domestic violence but she faces criminal charges on the checks she was using at banks to get the money from family accounts by depositing check that were no good. She has never been in trouble until now. These people I feel were coercing her for money and admitted to me that she thought she had money and so what - it wasn't right but so what. I would like to know if we should go legal aid or a lawyer. What will happen to her? The families she was supporting say they are civily suing her for their payment of bills she was to pay and for their lifestyle disruption.


Asked on 6/23/04, 12:11 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Barry Black Law Offices of Barry Black

Re: bipolar and crime

As a general rule, a private attorney is, of course, always preferable. Legal Aid lawyers are often equally qualified, but the time and effort that a private lawyer can dedicate to a case often makes all the difference in the world.

The case seems to have enough mitigating factors to allow for various alternatives in negotiating a good disposition. In other words, there's plenty to work with. However, it's impossible for any attorney on this board to predict an outcome before really working with the case.

One point: The criminal disposition can (and likely will) include a restitution provision. If done properly, this can preclude a civil action (meaning you will avoid the cost of hiring a civil attorney later on).

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Answered on 6/23/04, 1:24 pm


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