Psychiatry & Behavioral Science
A broad range of legal issues is addressed by forensic
psychologists and psychiatrists as they work with criminal
and civil cases and other areas such as family and domestic
relations law. In criminal law, such issues as competence
(e.g., competency to stand trial and to testify, to waive
legal representation, or to be executed), and the assessment
of mental illness as it relates to diminished responsibility
or innocence by reason of mental illness or defect are the
focus. Civil law requires assessment of such issues as involuntary
psychiatric hospitalization, right to refuse treatment,
competency to participate in do-not resuscitate decisions,
and disability compensation among others. Issues in family
and domestic relations may include juvenile delinquency,
child custody, parental fitness, domestic abuse, adoption,
and foster care.
