Getting arrested is terrifying and can cause a silent mental breakdown. If you are facing criminal charges in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, you know that the time between your arrest and your final court date is a highly stressful “waiting game”.

The Heavy Toll of the Waiting Game

Going to court multiple times makes people feel very anxious, stressed out, and uneasy. Many people are terrified of being placed in pretrial detention, which means going to jail before a trial even begins. This fear is valid, as the uncertainty of pretrial detention takes a massive toll on mental health. In fact, suicide rates for people in pretrial detention are three times higher than for convicted prisoners.

3 Ways to Keep Your Brain Busy

Michael Kotik, a criminal defense attorney at SKA Law Group, advises clients that the best way to survive this waiting period is to stay busy. Here are three rules to follow:

1. Go to work or school: Do not sit at home feeling sorry for yourself. Make your days go faster by getting a job, a second job, going to school, or going to the gym. This keeps your mind off the actual court case.
2. Stop Googling your case: Do not use Google or AI to research your criminal charges, as this will only make you panic and lose your mind over the case.
3. Let your lawyer worry: You hired the right attorney and gave them money to fight for you, so let them handle the legal stress. Your focus should be on surviving by staying busy.

Healing and Coming Home

The criminal justice system can cause deep emotional trauma, but there are alternative ways to heal. Some cases use “restorative justice,” where the offender and victim safely communicate to repair the harm caused. This helps offenders take responsibility and focuses on the needs of the victims.

If you do serve time, coming home to your community in Bucks County is another major hurdle. Returning citizens face huge struggles with housing and employment, making their suicide risk higher than the general public. Building strong support systems and finding stable housing and full-time employment are the keys to survival.

FAQs: Managing Your Mental While Facing Criminal Charges

Why is waiting for a criminal trial so stressful?

The time between an arrest and a trial is a “waiting game” that causes extreme anxiety because of the fear of pretrial detention, going to multiple court dates, and the uncertainty of the future.

What should I do while waiting for my court date?

Keep your brain busy by going to work, attending school, or working out at the gym. Do not research your charges online with Google or AI, as it will only increase your stress. Let your lawyer worry about the legal case.

How do returning citizens protect their mental health after jail?

Returning citizens face a very high risk of depression and suicide. Finding stable housing, securing a job, and building positive relationships with family and friends are the best ways to protect mental health after release.