 A "Justice Plan", is a form of court diversion for offenders with disabilities. More specifically, this means that the courts can order a plan of available services for offenders. A person subject to one of these plans does not have to consent to it in order for the plan to be enforced.

Grinnell College

In this outcome, a person with a disability enters a guilty plea in the magistrates' court and can claim mitigating circumstances because of the nature of their disability. People who enter a guilty plea with disabilities can be eligible for a "Justice Plan".

Guilty Plea for People with Cognitive Disabilities in Australia

McCausland, R., Reeve, R., & Gooding, P. (2019). The economic case for improving legal outcomes for accused persons with cognitive disability: an Australian study. International Journal of Law in Context, 15(4), 367-389.

Legal Outcomes for Accused Persons with Cognitive Disability in Australia

"Justice Plans" for People with Cognitive Disabilities in Australia

McCausland, Reeve and Gooding believe that this outcome allows for a quicker resolution than in an unfitness hearing. However, they believe that the possible convictions that a person with disabilities could receive would increase the likelihood of recidivism and would decrease future disability service options. Additionally, they believe that many Australian prisons' disability support programs are lacking.

Learn Before

Related