Nobody's Child: Poverty, Justice, and the Insanity Defense in America

This book does not accurately represent the rules and procures that dictate competency (MHL 730) or NYS CPL 330.20 (not responsible due to mental disease or defect) process. Nor does it accurately depict inpatient psychiatric treatment. Having worked in a NY state psychiatric center with patients remanded under the aforesaid statutes, I found the book interesting, but misleading.

This is such a relevant read, especially now as it delves not only into the history of the insanity defense but also the inherent racial biases and inequality prevalent within the justice system. Would definitely highly recommend this.

A compelling story well written by someone who obviously cares about how the mentally ill are treated by the courts. It kept you invested til the foregone conclusion.