When people face criminal charges in Onondaga County and elsewhere in New York, they often feel like the evidence is stacked against them. Even when people know that they are innocent, they feel lost and they think they will be convicted. Criminal defense attorneys are often able to investigate whether the charges are even warranted, and if the charges cannot be dismissed a defense attorney can often reach the best outcome.

Late last month, a 26-year-old man was charged with assault, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and fleeing a police officer after he was involved in a high-speed chase in Cayuga, Onondaga, Madison and Oneida counties before ending near Utica. A police officer was injured in the crash, after the man allegedly rammed into a police car, sending it rolling off of the highway.

The man does not dispute that he was involved in this crash and he said he can offer no explanation for it. His defense attorney, though, has explained that the man was going through a psychotic episode at the time of the chase. The attorney said that his client was not acting intentionally or with indifference to human life, accusations alleged in the criminal charges.

The man, who has a history of mental health issues, reportedly walked out of his retail job on the day of the chase, and got into his truck and began speeding down the road for no reason at all.

He has reportedly received medical help now and is competent to understand the criminal proceedings. When a defendant has a mental health condition, it is important that a defense attorney presents this issue before the judge so that this factor will be considered when evaluating the charges.

Source: Syracuse.com, "Defendant in high-speed police chase was 'psychotic' at the time, defense claims," Jim O'Hara, May 24, 2012