NCJ Number
28372
Date Published
1975
Length
280 pages
Annotation
THIS MONOGRAPH, WRITTEN BY A PROFESSOR OF LAW AND PSYCHIATRY, PROVIDES A REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE INTERACTIONS OF THE LEGAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS.
Abstract
AMONG THE ISSUES COVERED IN THIS TEXT ARE CIVIL VS. CRIMINAL CONFINEMENT, TREATMENT AND PREDICTION OF DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR, THE LEGAL CRITERIA AND GOALS OF CIVIL COMMITMENT, AND INPATIENT CARE. LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVED IN THE TREATMENT OF SUCH GROUPS AS THE MENTALLY RETARDED, JUVENILES, THE AGING, SEXUAL PSYCHOPATHS, AND DEFECTIVE DELINQUENTS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THE ROLE OF LAW AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IS THEN EXAMINED WITH RESPECT TO THE RIGHT TO TREATMENT, THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TREATMENT, COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL, AND THE INSANITY DEFENSE. AN APPENDIX WHICH UPDATES THE MAJOR LEGAL ISSUES IN LIGHT OF RECENT JUDICIAL DECISIONS IS ALSO PROVIDED.