NCJ Number
29159
Date Published
1975
Length
265 pages
Annotation
BASED ON EXPERIENCES ENCOUNTERED BY LAWYERS IN A VARIETY OF CASES, BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL.
Abstract
THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A COMPREHENSIVE TEXTBOOK ON THE ISSUES OF PSYCHIATRY AND THE LAW, BUT A GUIDE FOR ATTORNEYS WHO NEED TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRISTS AND HOW THEY WORK AND FUNCTION WITHIN THE LEGAL SYSTEM. IT WILL ALSO BE USEFUL TO THE PRACTICING PSYCHIATRIST WHO INVARIABLY WILL BE CALLED UPON FOR CONSULTATION IN LEGAL MATTERS AT SOME TIME IN HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER. FOR THE ATTORNEYS THERE ARE CASE CITATIONS AND A PSYCHIATRIC GLOSSARY. FOR THE PSYCHIATRIST THERE ARE CASE EXAMPLES, OUTLINES OF INTERVIEWS AND FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIC REPORTS. TRADITIONAL ISSUES SUCH AS MENTAL COMPETENCY, CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY, DOMESTIC RELATION MATTERS, COMMITMENT PROCEDURES, TRAUMATIC ILLNESSES, DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROBLEMS, SEXUAL MATTERS AND JUVENILE CRIMES ARE PRESENTED IN LIGHT OF THE ROLE THE PSYCHIATRIST PLAYS IN THESE AREAS. OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDE: THE PSYCHIATRIST AS CONSULTANT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL MATTERS, THE PSYCHIATRIST IN THE COURTROOM, ROLE OF THE PSYCHIATRIST IN THE CRIMINAL PROCESS, PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL COMPETENCY, LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PSYCHIATRIST, AND CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVILEGE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)