Arresto de personas con trastornos mentales en Washington

Explicación Simple

Si un policía piensa que alguien ha hecho algo malo y sabe que esa persona tiene un problema mental, puede llevarla a un lugar donde la ayuden en lugar de arrestarla. Allí, un profesional de salud mental decidirá qué hacer después.

Es como cuando un profesor ve que un estudiante tiene problemas en clase y en lugar de expulsarlo, decide que necesita ayuda adicional y lo envía a un tutor.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan, quien tiene antecedentes de problemas mentales, es encontrado causando disturbios en la calle. El policía, al saber su situación, decide llevar a Juan a un centro de estabilización en lugar de arrestarlo. Allí, un especialista lo evalúa para ver qué tipo de apoyo necesita.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

RCW 10.31.110 - Arrest -- Individuals with mental disorders (1) When a police officer has reasonable cause to believe that the individual has committed acts constituting a nonfelony crime that is not a serious offense as identified in RCW 10.77.092 and the individual is known by history or consultation with the regional support network to suffer from a mental disorder, the arresting officer may:(a) Take the individual to a crisis stabilization unit as defined in RCW 71.05.020(6). Individuals delivered to a crisis stabilization unit pursuant to this section may be held by the facility for a period of up to twelve hours: PROVIDED, that they are examined by a mental health professional within three hours of their arrival;(b) Refer the individual to a mental health professional for evaluation for initial detention and proceeding under chapter 71.05 RCW; or(c) Release the individual upon agreement to voluntary participation in outpatient treatment.(2) In deciding whether to refer the individual to treatment under this section, the police officer shall be guided by standards mutually agreed upon with the prosecuting authority, which address, at a minimum, the length, seriousness, and recency of the known criminal history of the individual, the mental health history of the individual, where available, and the circumstances surrounding the commission of the alleged offense.(3) Any agreement to participate in treatment shall not require individuals to stipulate to any of the alleged facts regarding the criminal activity as a prerequisite to participation in a mental health treatment alternative. The agreement is inadmissible in any criminal or civil proceeding. The agreement does not create immunity from prosecution for the alleged criminal activity.(4) If an individua