Expert Insight from William W. Erhart & Catherine B. Read:

Advocating for Justice in the Disability Community

Recent coverage in the Delaware News Journal highlights a troubling reality in our justice system: crimes committed against individuals with disabilities are among the most difficult to prosecute. While case outcomes may appear lenient on the surface, the underlying legal and procedural challenges are far more complex.

In this featured article, our own William W. Erhart and Catherine B. “Kylee” Read provide insight into why these cases so often face barriers in the criminal courts. As Delaware elder law attorneys and members of the Special Needs Alliance, both bring decades of experience advocating for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Bill, a former Delaware prosecutor, explains how the structure of our adversarial legal system places heavy weight on a witness’s ability to communicate clearly and consistently, a reality that can disadvantage victims...

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