Criminal Competency on Trial

Criminal Competency on Trial
Author: Mark C. Bardwell
Publisher:
Total Pages: 424
Release: 2002
Genre: Law
ISBN:

Criminal Competency on Trial examines the legal standards by which one can stand trial, and the psychological instruments by which one's mental health status is assessed. Acknowledging that determinations of trial fitness represent the most significant mental health inquiry pursued in the system of criminal law today, this book carefully explains and thoroughly reviews the legal and psychological limits of competency to stand trial (CST). To highlight these limits, authors Bardwell and Arrigo systematically investigate the controversial and high profile case of Colin Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson was identified as the New York City railway killer who, following a competency finding, elected to represent himself and was found guilty of all criminal charges. The text proposes a series of clear, practical, and concise justice policy reforms, designed to improve how the CST doctrine is understood and employed by lawyers, judges, psychologists, and other forensic mental health professionals. The book concludes by demonstrating where and how these policy recommendations would substantially change the application of the CST doctrine, especially in the case of Colin Ferguson and with other high stakes defendants, including that of Theodore Kaczynski (a.k.a. the una-bomber).

DSM-5 and the Law

DSM-5 and the Law
Author: Charles L. Scott
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 305
Release: 2015
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0199368465

Resource added for the Paralegal program 101101.

Evaluation of Competence to Stand Trial

Evaluation of Competence to Stand Trial
Author: Patricia Zapf
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2008-12-19
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0199724164

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court. Volumes include the following helpful features: - Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations - Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls - Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes - Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference - Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topic In making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.

Criminal Trials and Mental Disorders

Criminal Trials and Mental Disorders
Author: Thomas L. Hafemeister
Publisher: NYU Press
Total Pages: 387
Release: 2019-02-05
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1479804851

The complicated relationship between defendants with mental health disorders and the criminal justice system The American criminal justice system is based on the bedrock principles of fairness and justice for all. In striving to ensure that all criminal defendants are treated equally under the law, it endeavors to handle similar cases in similar fashion, attempting to apply rules and procedures even-handedly regardless of a defendant’s social class, race, ethnicity, or gender. Yet, the criminal justice system has also recognized exceptions when special circumstances underlie a defendant’s behavior or are likely to skew the defendant’s trial. One of the most controversial set of exceptions –often poorly articulated and inconsistently applied – involves criminal defendants with a mental disorder. A series of special rules and procedures has evolved over the centuries, often without fanfare and even today with little systematic examination, that lawyers and judges apply to cases involving defendants with a mental disorder. This book provides an analysis of the key issues in this dynamic interplay between individuals with a mental disorder and the criminal justice system. The volume identifies the various stages of criminal justice proceedings when the mental status of a defendant may be relevant, associated legal and policy issues, the history and evolution of these issues, and how they are currently resolved. To assist this exploration, the text also offers an overview of mental disorders, their relevance to criminal proceedings, how forensic mental health assessments are conducted and employed during these proceedings, and their application to competency and responsibility determinations. In sum, this book provides an important resource for students and scholars with an interest in mental health, law, and criminal justice.

Psychological Science and the Law

Psychological Science and the Law
Author: Neil Brewer
Publisher: Guilford Publications
Total Pages: 473
Release: 2019-04-04
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1462538304

Psychological research can provide constructive explanations of key problems in the criminal justice system--and can help generate solutions. This state-of-the-art text dissects the psychological processes associated with fundamental legal questions: Is a suspect lying? Will an incarcerated individual be dangerous in the future? Is an eyewitness accurate? How can false memories be implanted? How do juries, experts, forensic examiners, and judges make decisions, and how can racial and other forms of bias be minimized? Chapters offer up-to-date reviews of relevant theory, experimental methods, and empirical findings. Specific recommendations are made for improving the quality of evidence and preserving the integrity of investigative and legal proceedings.

Evaluation of Juveniles' Competence to Stand Trial

Evaluation of Juveniles' Competence to Stand Trial
Author: Ivan Kruh
Publisher: OUP USA
Total Pages: 296
Release: 2008-12-25
Genre: Law
ISBN: 0195323076

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court. Volumes include the following helpful features: - Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations - Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls - Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes - Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference - Helpful gloassary of key terms for the particular topic In making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.

Introduction to Forensic Psychology

Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Author: Stacey L. Shipley
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 722
Release: 2012-07-10
Genre: Law
ISBN: 012382169X

This edition of Introduction to Forensic Psychology has been completely restructured to map to how courses on forensic psychology are taught, and features more figures, tables, and text boxes, textbook pedagogy. Uniquely. this book offers equal representation of criminal behavior, the court systems, and law enforcement/prisons. It also has equal representation of criminal and civic forensics and of issues pertaining to adults and children. new coverage of emerging issues in forensic psychology expanded case illustrations and vignettes, practice and ethics updates, and international trends new "key issue" overviews, boldface terms and concepts, and chapter reviews expanded coverage of corrections for juveniles.

Psychological Evaluations for the Courts, Fourth Edition

Psychological Evaluations for the Courts, Fourth Edition
Author: Gary B. Melton
Publisher: Guilford Publications
Total Pages: 994
Release: 2017-12-22
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1462532667

Tens of thousands of readers have relied on this leading text and practitioner reference--now revised and updated--to understand the issues the legal system most commonly asks mental health professionals to address. Highly readable, the volume demystifies the forensic psychological assessment process and provides guidelines for participating effectively and ethically in legal proceedings. Presented are clinical and legal concepts and evidence-based assessment procedures pertaining to criminal and civil competencies, the insanity defense and related doctrines, sentencing, civil commitment, personal injury claims, antidiscrimination laws, child custody, juvenile justice, and other justice-related areas. Case examples, exercises, and a glossary facilitate learning; 19 sample reports illustrate how to conduct and write up thorough, legally admissible evaluations. New to This Edition *Extensively revised to reflect important legal, empirical, and clinical developments. *Increased attention to medical and neuroscientific research. *New protocols relevant to competence, risk assessment, child custody, and mental injury evaluations. *Updates on insanity, sentencing, civil commitment, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Social Security, juvenile and family law, and the admissibility of expert testimony. *Material on immigration law (including a sample report) and international law. *New and revised sample reports.

Principles and Practice of Forensic Psychiatry

Principles and Practice of Forensic Psychiatry
Author: Richard Rosner
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 1097
Release: 2017-02-03
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1482262290

The third edition of this award-winning textbook has been revised and thoroughly updated. Building on the success of the previous editions, it continues to address the history and practice of forensic psychiatry, legal regulation of the practice of psychiatry, forensic evaluation and treatment, psychiatry in relation to civil law, criminal law and family law, as well as correctional forensic psychiatry. New chapters address changes in the assessment and treatment of aggression and violence as well as psychological and neuroimaging assessments.

Fundamentals of Forensic Practice

Fundamentals of Forensic Practice
Author: Richard Rogers
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 438
Release: 2006-04-07
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0387252274

Forensic psychologists and psychiatrists are increasingly asked to provide expertise to courts and attorneys in the criminal justice system. To do so effectively, they must stay abreast of important advances in the understanding of legal standards as well as new developments in sophisticated measures and the methods for their assessment. Fundamentals of Forensic Practice is designed to address the critical issues that are faced by mental health experts in their role of conducting assessments, presenting findings, and preparing for challenges to admissibility and credibility. Uniquely practical and comprehensive, this volume operationalizes legal standards and describes empirically validated methods for their evaluation. Not only is this essential for mental health professionals, but it is equally valuable to criminal attorneys. Lawyers require both clinical knowledge and understanding of legal standards in order to prepare their own experts and to challenge those on the opposing side. For both clinical and legal experts Fundamentals of Forensic Practice offers a full view of all phases of criminal proceedings: - Pretrial—diversion, determinations of bail, waivers of Miranda rights, and the capacity to consent to searches. - Trial—competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility. Beyond insanity, the latter addresses mens rea, automatism, and psychological context evidence, such as battered-woman syndrome. - Post-trial—sentencing, capital sentencing, competency to be executed, and other post-conviction issues. Other key features include: - Chapters on specific criminal issues in a consistent format, with comprehensive coverage of legal standards and relevant clinical methods - Guidelines for conducting more effective forensic evaluations - In-depth coverage of specialized assessments, eg. malingering, sexual predator cases, and the insanity defense. - A detailed overview of direct and cross-examination strategies This book is the second collaboration between Rogers and Shuman. As individual authors, each received the American Psychiatric Association’s prestigious Guttmacher Award for their outstanding contributions to forensic psychiatry.