Pre-Arraignment Diversion for Woman Charges With Assault and Battery By Means of a Dangerous Weapon and Multiple Motor Vehicle Crimes

In August of 2020 our client suffered a mental break after being misdiagnosed for a particular type of mental illness. During the manic episode she drove her car 60 miles to an airport. She was driving erratically, making illegal U turns and driving in the wrong direction on airport roads. The police attempted to stop her. In doing so the woman drove her vehicle into two police cruisers causing extensive damage. She was apprehended and taken to a mental health facility. She was ultimately charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon under G.L. c. 265 section 15A, negligent operation of a motor vehicle under G.L. c. 90 section 24, failing to stop for a police officer under G.L. c. 90 section 25 and operating a motor vehicle while uninsured under G.L. c. 90 section 34J. Attorney Neyman was hired to represent her. We were able to obtain copies of our client’s mental health history with professional proof that her actions were caused exclusively by her mental illness. Based on this we were able to convince the district attorney’s office not to have her arraigned, instead to continue with her mental health treatment and counseling as recommended by her doctors. The case was diverted and will not be prosecuted.

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