Research ArticleRegular Article
How Mental Illness Influences Pretrial Release Decisions for People Charged with Misdemeanors
Gary M. Graca, Maxmoore T. Potkin, Sela E. Dragich, Debra A. Pinals, Leah G. Pope and Elizabeth B. Ford
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online November 2025, JAAPL.250074-25; DOI: https://doi.org/10.29158/JAAPL.250074-25
Gary M. Graca
Drs. Graca and Potkin are resident psychiatrists, Dr. Pope is an associate professor of Clinical Behavioral Medicine (in Psychiatry) and research scientist, and Dr. Ford is an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY. Ms. Dragich is an attorney, Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Pinals is a clinical professor of Psychiatry and Director, Program in Psychiatry, Law, and Ethics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI.
MD, MPAMaxmoore T. Potkin
Drs. Graca and Potkin are resident psychiatrists, Dr. Pope is an associate professor of Clinical Behavioral Medicine (in Psychiatry) and research scientist, and Dr. Ford is an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY. Ms. Dragich is an attorney, Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Pinals is a clinical professor of Psychiatry and Director, Program in Psychiatry, Law, and Ethics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI.
MDSela E. Dragich
Drs. Graca and Potkin are resident psychiatrists, Dr. Pope is an associate professor of Clinical Behavioral Medicine (in Psychiatry) and research scientist, and Dr. Ford is an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY. Ms. Dragich is an attorney, Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Pinals is a clinical professor of Psychiatry and Director, Program in Psychiatry, Law, and Ethics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI.
JDDebra A. Pinals
Drs. Graca and Potkin are resident psychiatrists, Dr. Pope is an associate professor of Clinical Behavioral Medicine (in Psychiatry) and research scientist, and Dr. Ford is an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY. Ms. Dragich is an attorney, Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Pinals is a clinical professor of Psychiatry and Director, Program in Psychiatry, Law, and Ethics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI.
MDLeah G. Pope
Drs. Graca and Potkin are resident psychiatrists, Dr. Pope is an associate professor of Clinical Behavioral Medicine (in Psychiatry) and research scientist, and Dr. Ford is an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY. Ms. Dragich is an attorney, Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Pinals is a clinical professor of Psychiatry and Director, Program in Psychiatry, Law, and Ethics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI.
PhDElizabeth B. Ford
Drs. Graca and Potkin are resident psychiatrists, Dr. Pope is an associate professor of Clinical Behavioral Medicine (in Psychiatry) and research scientist, and Dr. Ford is an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY. Ms. Dragich is an attorney, Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Pinals is a clinical professor of Psychiatry and Director, Program in Psychiatry, Law, and Ethics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI.
MD
Article Figures & Data
Figures
Figure 1. States that explicitly or implicitly permit consideration of mental condition in determining eligibility for pretrial release.
In this issue
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
Vol. 53, Issue 4
1 Dec 2025
How Mental Illness Influences Pretrial Release Decisions for People Charged with Misdemeanors
Gary M. Graca, Maxmoore T. Potkin, Sela E. Dragich, Debra A. Pinals, Leah G. Pope, Elizabeth B. Ford
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Nov 2025, JAAPL.250074-25; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.250074-25
How Mental Illness Influences Pretrial Release Decisions for People Charged with Misdemeanors
Gary M. Graca, Maxmoore T. Potkin, Sela E. Dragich, Debra A. Pinals, Leah G. Pope, Elizabeth B. Ford
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Nov 2025, JAAPL.250074-25; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.250074-25







