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.

Psychological Evaluations for the Courts, Third Edition

Psychological Evaluations for the Courts, Third Edition
Author: Gary B. Melton
Publisher: Guilford Press
Total Pages: 959
Release: 2007-09-18
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 160623739X

This is the definitive reference and text for both mental health and legal professionals. The authors offer a uniquely comprehensive discussion of the legal and clinical contexts of forensic assessment, along with best-practice guidelines for participating effectively and ethically in a wide range of criminal and civil proceedings. Presented are findings, instruments, and procedures related to criminal and civil competencies, civil commitment, sentencing, personal injury claims, antidiscrimination laws, child custody, juvenile justice, and more.

Psychological Experts in Divorce Actions

Psychological Experts in Divorce Actions
Author: Marc J. Ackerman
Publisher: Wolters Kluwer
Total Pages: 1116
Release: 2005-01-01
Genre: Law
ISBN: 0735549265

Emotionally charged issues abound in matrimonial practice, especially in custody disputes. Expert testimony can have a dramatic impact on the outcome of a case, and when matters are highly sensitive or sensational the seeming objectivity of an expert can be dispositive. To effectively reinforce or question that testimony, certain specialized knowledge is essential. Scientifically accepted standards and theories are constantly evolving. Keeping up with the data had been a challenge, but one integrated resource has made it simple. Aspen Publishers’ Psychological Experts in Divorce Actions pulls all the research together into the definitive guide to understanding the role of psychological evaluations in divorce and custody actions. Focused on providing the best approach to protecting your client’s interests, this work explains all the leading testing instruments,what conclusions may be drawn and how to challenge or support those conclusions. In addition to offering effective examination and cross-examination strategies, it assists you in handling the gamut of psychological factors that affect clients in divorce and custody cases. Authors Marc J. Ackerman, Ph.D ., and Andrew W. Kane, Ph.D ., are licensed psychologists who have been involved in hundreds of custody cases. Drawing on their extensive experience—testing parties to a divorce and treating psychological patients in the clinic—and as psychological experts in the courtroom, they identify the most important psychological evaluation research used in divorce and custody decision-making and distill the information into clear terms lawyers can readily apply.They also examine vital issues including: Ethics —confidentiality, privilege, duty to warn or protect (Tarasoff), sharing raw data, test integrity Sexual abuse —bona fide or fabricated allegations, psychological effects of sexual abuse, profiles of abuser and abused Testing —personality tests (including MMPI-2, And The new MMPI-2-RF, Rorschach,Millon,TAT); intelligence tests (Wechsler scales,Kaufman scales, Stanford Binet); custody tests (ASPECT, PCRI, PASS, BPS); and many more How divorce affects families —custody, placement, age and gender differences, grandparents, sexual preference, psychological problems

Forensic and Legal Psychology

Forensic and Legal Psychology
Author: Mark Costanzo
Publisher: Macmillan
Total Pages: 492
Release: 2010-12-24
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1429205784

Using research in clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology, Forensic and Legal Psychology shows how psychological science can enhance the gathering and presentation of evidence, improve legal decision-making, prevent crime, rehabilitate criminals, and promote justice. Although the emphasis is on psychological research, the textbook makes extensive use of actual cases and real trials to engage students and to illustrate the relevance of research findings. Written in a clear, student-friendly style, Forensic and Legal Psychology is designed for both the psychology and law AND forensic psychology class. Visit the preview site for more information: www.worthpublishers.com/costanzokrausspreview

Evaluation of Criminal Responsibility

Evaluation of Criminal Responsibility
Author: Ira K. Packer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2009-03-16
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0199886679

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, authos 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.

Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination

Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2015-06-29
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309370930

The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), for disabled individuals, and their dependent family members, who have worked and contributed to the Social Security trust funds, and Supplemental Security Income (SSSI), which is a means-tested program based on income and financial assets for adults aged 65 years or older and disabled adults and children. Both programs require that claimants have a disability and meet specific medical criteria in order to qualify for benefits. SSA establishes the presence of a medically-determined impairment in individuals with mental disorders other than intellectual disability through the use of standard diagnostic criteria, which include symptoms and signs. These impairments are established largely on reports of signs and symptoms of impairment and functional limitation. Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination considers the use of psychological tests in evaluating disability claims submitted to the SSA. This report critically reviews selected psychological tests, including symptom validity tests, that could contribute to SSA disability determinations. The report discusses the possible uses of such tests and their contribution to disability determinations. Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination discusses testing norms, qualifications for administration of tests, administration of tests, and reporting results. The recommendations of this report will help SSA improve the consistency and accuracy of disability determination in certain cases.

Evaluating Competencies

Evaluating Competencies
Author: Thomas Grisso
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 553
Release: 2006-01-27
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0306479222

This book offers a conceptual model for understanding the nature of legal competencies. The model is interpreted to assist mental health professionals in designing and performing assessments for legal competencies defined in criminal and civil law, and to guide research that will improve the practice of evaluations for legal competencies. A special feature is the book's evaluative review of specialized forensic assessment instruments for each of several legal competencies. Three-fourths of the 37 instruments reviewed in this second edition are new.

Evaluations for Sentencing of Juveniles in Criminal Court

Evaluations for Sentencing of Juveniles in Criminal Court
Author: Antoinette Kavanaugh
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2020
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0190052813

Young people charged with serious offenses may be tried in criminal court. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that, if convicted in criminal court, juveniles' sentencing must take into account their relative developmental immaturity compared to adults. Therefore, Judges and attorneys in these cases need information from forensic mental health examiners about a youth's degree of immaturity and its relevance for sentencing. This is the first book to provide forensicmental health examiners a legal and developmental foundation for these evaluations, as well as best practices for performing the evaluation and communicating it to the court.

Responding to the Oppression of Addiction, Fourth Edition

Responding to the Oppression of Addiction, Fourth Edition
Author: Rick Csiernik
Publisher: Canadian Scholars
Total Pages: 516
Release: 2023-02-07
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1773383426

Responding to the Oppression of Addiction brings together the voices of over 40 academics and social work practitioners from across Canada to provide a diverse and multidimensional perspective to the study of addiction. This thoroughly updated edition features eight new chapters and streamlines the content of the previous editions, with chapters condensed and combined to create a more accessible text. The fourth edition features new content on themes such as residential schools, prevention initiatives, special needs of different populations, policy perspectives framed within an anti-oppression standpoint, cognitive behavioral therapy, and the emerging topic of problem gambling. Returning chapters have been updated, with contributors providing more in-depth examinations of trauma-informed approaches. The entire volume has a strengthened anti-oppressive framework, on both an overarching and by-chapter level. This celebrated and varied collection is an indispensable resource for upper-level students, graduate students, and practitioners working in the fields of social work, addictions studies, and the helping professions. FEATURES: - Thoroughly updated chapter-by-chapter content grounded in an anti-oppressive framework with deeper exploration of trauma-informed approaches - Provides an authoritative analysis of the practices and policies that contribute to the construction of the meaning of addiction through a Canadian lens