Michael L. Perlin facts for kids

Michael L. Perlin is an American lawyer and professor at the New York Law School. He is a world-renowned expert on "mental disability law." This area of law focuses on how the legal system works with people who have mental disorders or intellectual disability. Professor Perlin has written more than 23 books and nearly 300 articles about this important topic.

Early Life and Career

Michael Perlin began his law career in New Jersey, USA. He worked as a public lawyer, helping people who needed legal support but could not afford it. He also became a strong supporter for people with mental disabilities. In 1984, he joined the New York Law School as a professor.

Important Court Cases

In 1985, Professor Perlin helped with a major court case called Ake v. Oklahoma. He filed an amicus brief, which is a special document written by someone who is not directly involved in a case but wants to share important information with the court. In this case, the Supreme Court decided that if a person cannot afford a lawyer, the state must provide a mental health evaluation for them. This happens when their mental health is a key question in a court case.

Fighting for Fairness: Understanding Sanism

Professor Perlin has written a lot about a concept called "sanism." This word comes from "sane," meaning mentally healthy. Sanism describes widespread unfair treatment and negative attitudes toward people with mental disabilities. Perlin explains that this prejudice affects everyone involved in the legal system, including people in court, lawyers, and witnesses. He works to show how these unfair attitudes can prevent people from getting equal justice.

Using Music to Inspire Change

In 1996, Professor Perlin wrote an article that questioned a Supreme Court decision. He named his paper "Dignity was the First to Leave." Since then, he has used song lyrics from famous musician Bob Dylan to title all of his legal articles. This unique approach helps him draw attention to important issues in mental disability law.

Professor Perlin believes that his ninth book, The Hidden Prejudice: Mental Disability on Trial (2001), best explains his efforts to teach society about sanism. He wants to show how this bias can stop people with mental disabilities from getting fair treatment in court.

Global Impact and Advocacy

For 20 years, Professor Perlin was part of the board for the International Academy of Law and Mental Health. He also worked closely with Mental Disability Rights International. Through this work, he traveled to countries like Hungary and Latvia to provide training and workshops. These sessions helped people understand and protect the rights of individuals with mental disabilities.

Since 2008, Professor Perlin has been working on an exciting project called the Disability Rights Tribunal for Asia and the Pacific (DRTAP). He is collaborating with advocates from Japan, Australia, and the Pacific Rim to create this special tribunal. It aims to help people with disabilities in these regions get fair treatment and protect their rights.