Psychiatry and Law: Criminal Issues

This course addresses how mental illness and psychopathology interface with the legal system in both civil and the criminal areas, starting with an overview of psychopathology and assessment, including standardized assessments, psychological testing, forensic evaluations, and mental-health experts. Typical topics include confidentiality, privilege, treatment, risk assessment, civil commitment, malpractice, competency, restoration, criminal responsibility, sentencing, correctional issues, sexual offenders, and juvenile forensic issues. Students review approved forensic topics and draft and revise a research paper.