15 Apr WEEK 3: AT A GLANCE FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY AND THE COURT SYSTEM
Two parents who love their three school-age children are divorcing. The mother is a highly compensated and successful business executive. The father, a stay-at-home dad, is involved extensively in all daily aspects of the children’s lives. A conviction for drug dealing, possession, and use during his third year at college has prevented him from securing well-paid employment. Both parents want full custody of their children. What factors should the courts consider in this matter? Should the children’s parental preferences be taken into account? Should they be allowed to testify in their own custody case?
Consider a vastly different scenario. A 48-year-old high school basketball coach has been accused of sexually assaulting several of his former male basketball players. Although he has had no previous arrests, the actual assaults involved violent behavior, and victims reported that they had been threatened with physical harm if they reported any of the incidents to authorities. Should the coach be released after serving his sentence at a state penitentiary or be committed to a specialized state-run treatment center for sex offenders? A forensic psychologist may be asked to weigh in on these highly charged court cases.
In civil cases (non-criminal cases), forensic psychologists play a variety of roles. Examples of their responsibilities include making custody recommendations and evaluating the “fitness” of
DISCUSSION
(https://w
ASSIGNMENT
(https://w
RESOURCES
(https://w
(https://cdn- media.waldenu.edu/2dett4d/Walden/Canvas/Getty/ 1920×938/GettyLicense_91222902.jpg)
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407842
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407842
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407842
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407842
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407844
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407844
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407844
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407844
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407847
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407847
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407847
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/220454/modules/items/9407847
https://cdn-media.waldenu.edu/2dett4d/Walden/Canvas/Getty/1920×938/GettyLicense_91222902.jpg
https://cdn-media.waldenu.edu/2dett4d/Walden/Canvas/Getty/1920×938/GettyLicense_91222902.jpg
https://cdn-media.waldenu.edu/2dett4d/Walden/Canvas/Getty/1920×938/GettyLicense_91222902.jpg
https://cdn-media.waldenu.edu/2dett4d/Walden/Canvas/Getty/1920×938/GettyLicense_91222902.jpg
each parent to raise a child. In criminal cases, a forensic psychologist may conduct a risk assessment of a convicted sex offender. The results of the assessment may be used to inform the court as to whether the offender should be indefinitely committed to a psychiatric or correctional facility or be released after serving his or her sentence.
In the criminal justice system, it is imperative that defendants understand what is happening, from the moment of arrest to sentencing and punishment. Before a trial can even begin, defendants must be competent to stand trial—meaning that they understand and appreciate the nature of the charges against them, and they can assist their attorney in formulating a defense. Once competency is established, the defendant has several plea options, including guilty, not guilty, and not guilty by reason of insanity. Forensic psychologists are often called upon to determine a defendant’s competency when in question, and to provide the court an ultimate opinion regarding the defendant’s mental state at the time of the offense.
This week, you examine relevant factors related to child testimony in child custody and child protection cases. You also evaluate risk assessment criteria in civil commitment cases for sex offenders. You also complete an Application Assignment that focuses on the issues of Competency to Stand Trial and the Insanity Defense.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES Students will:
Evaluate criteria concerning risk assessment in civil commitment cases for sex offenders (D) Evaluate the use of forensic psychology as it applies to child custody disputes and parental competence (D) Analyze the concepts of Competency to Stand Trial and the Insanity Defense as they relate to the trial process (A
