National Benchbook on Psychiatric and Psychological Evidence and Testimony

• NCJ Number: 177556
• Author(s): J W Parry; D Hominik; G Skoler; H Altschwager
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 356 pages
• Grant Number(s): SJI-97-10F-E-027
• Sponsoring Agency: State Justice Institute
• Sale Source: American Bar Assoc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This volume is designed to aid decisionmaking and to enhance courtroom diagnosis and assessment regarding admissibility of evidence, problems of minors, standards of commitment, incompetency, dangerousness and responsibility, in both civil and criminal cases.

Abstract

In nine chapters, the Benchbook covers civil incompetency, involuntary civil commitment and release, special incompetency and commitment issues involving minors, criminal incompetency, criminal responsibility and dangerousness in criminal commitment and sentencing. In addition, it includes: (1) an introduction to the clinical dimensions of judicial decisionmaking, diagnosis and assessment, and admissibility of psychiatric and psychological evidence; (2) an executive summary for each chapter; (3) judges' checklists on the admissibility of evidence and testimony, and determination involving the existence of a mental disorder, civil and criminal competency, criminal responsibility, and dangerousness to self or others; and (4) appendixes with key references to books, articles, case decisions and Federal and State statutes. Notes, appendixes