NCJ Number
32061
Date Published
1973
Length
742 pages
Annotation
DESIGNED TO SERVE AS A COURSE TEXTBOOK AND REFERENCE SOURCE FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN LAW AND PSYCHIATRY, THIS TEXT DISCUSSES THE RELATIONSHIP OF PSYCHIATRY TO SUCH AREAS AS EVIDENCE, LIABILITY, OFFENSES, AND CRIMINAL LAW.
Abstract
EVIDENCE IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, PSYCHIATRIC EXPERT TESTIMONY, AND PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION ARE THOROUGHLY DISCUSSED IN THE SECTION ON THE PSYCHIATRIST AND PROOF AT LAW. SECTION II DEALS WITH CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL, WHILE SECTION III COVERS THE LEGAL HANDLING OF CASES INVOLVING ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ADDICTION AND SEXUAL PSYCHOSIS, AS WELL AS THE RECENT CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING OBSCENITY AND PORNOGRAPHY. THE NEXT SECTION EXPLAINS ADMISSION AND DISCHARGE PROCEDURES AND THE RIGHTS OF COMMITTED PATIENTS. THE FOLLOWING TWO SECTIONS DISCUSS TORT LIABILITY AND CLAIMS OF THE MENTALLY INCOMPETENT AND THE OPERATIVE EFFECT OF MENTAL INCOMPETENCY ON AGREEMENTS AND WILLS. SECTION VII ON FAMILY LAW DISCUSSES THE PSYCHIATRIST'S ROLE IN CASES OF DIVORCE, CHILD CUSTODY, AND ABORTION. AN IMPORTANT SECTION ON PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY EFFECTIVELY EXPLAINS PSYCHIATRIC TORT AND OTHER LIABILITY AND THE BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY. TRANSCRIPTS OF ACTUAL CASES ILLUSTRATING THE PSYCHIATRIST'S ROLE IN COURT ARE FOUND IN THE APPENDIX, AS ARE MINIMUM CONSTITUTIONAL STANDARDS FOR ADEQUATE TREATMENT OF THE MENTALLY ILL AND SELECTED READINGS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)