NCJ Number
60366
Date Published
1978
Length
318 pages
Annotation
STATE LAWS, JUDICIAL DECISIONS, AND EXPERT OPINIONS ARE GIVEN IN THIS SUMMARY OF MISS.'S PROVISIONS FOR THE ADMISSION OR DISCHARGE OF PERSONS WHO REQUEST OR NEED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FROM THE STATE.
Abstract
THIS DISCUSSION FOCUSES ONLY ON ISSUES WHICH INVOLVE A STATE PSYCHOLOGIST -- INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS FOR MENTAL ILLNESS, ALCOHOLISM, OR DRUG ADDICTION; DETERMINATIONS OF COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL OR THE VALIDITY OF AN INSANITY DEFENSE. STATE LAW HAS GROWN SLOWLY AND CONTAINS MANY INCONSISTENCIES. JUDICIAL DECISIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS, BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL, ARE CITED TO CLARIFY EXISTING PRACTICE. A SERIES OF TABLES SUMMARIZE DUE PROCESS PROVISIONS; THERE IS A DECISION TREE FOR DIAGNOSING MENTAL ILLNESS; AND A CHART SUMMARIZES PREDICTORS OF DANGEROUSNESS. EXAMINERS MUST BE AWARE OF THE DIFFICULTIES INHERENT IN PREDICTING DANGEROUSNESS AND THE FACT THAT IN CASES OF NONPHYSICAL DANGEROUSNESS CIVIL COMMITMENTS FOR PROTECTION OR CARE ARE MORE DEFENSIBLE. TWO COMPREHENSIVE CHECKLISTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE SECTION ON CRIMINAL CASES. THE FIRST CONTAINS 13 QUESTIONS WHICH CAN BE USED TO DETERMINE COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL. THE SECOND GIVE AN ITEM-BY-ITEM SUMMARY OF MISS. LAW CONCERNING THE INSANITY DEFENSE TOGETHER WITH SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR THE DEFENDANT. PREPARATION OF EXPERT COURT TESTIMONY IS ALSO COVERED. THE BOOK CONTAINS EXTENSIVE NOTES AND REFERENCES. (GLRA)