Fall 2012
    Law No.: LAW9079
    Sched. No.: 112820572

Psychiatry and Criminal Law*
Section 1
X
Hafemeister, Thomas L.



Administrative Information:
During SIS enrollment, check on SIS for real-time enrollment numbers
Days, Times (Room):TR, 1410-1530 (WB119)
Credits:3Type:Seminar
Capacity:18 **This information is current as of 05/20/2013 06:17:38 AM**
Current Enrollment:16 **This information is current as of 05/20/2013 06:17:38 AM**

Course Description:

This seminar will examine how the criminal justice system (CJS) addresses and should address defendants and offenders with a mental disorder. By all accounts, the CJS has become the default mental health system for this country. It has been estimated that more than 45 million Americans, or 20% of U.S. adults, suffer from some form of mental illness every year, with 11 million experiencing a serious illness. Young adults aged 18 to 25 have the highest level of mental illness at 30%, which also happens to be the age group most likely to be arrested for a crime. In addition, 25 to 40% of the individuals who suffer from a mental illness come into contact with the CJS each year. Prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys, and correctional officials are increasingly wrestling with how to respond to this population. Issues to be addressed in the course include: (1) adjudicative competency (e.g., competence to stand trial, competence to waive trial-related rights); (2) criminal responsibility (e.g., the insanity defense, diminished capacity); (3) sentencing and the death penalty; (4) sex offenders; (5) juvenile offenders; and (6) mental health evaluations and expert testimony. In addition to traditional seminar discussions, videotaped forensic mental health evaluations will be observed and their implications considered. During the final month of the semester, guest lectures will be provided by a range of mental health professionals and legal practitioners.

COURSE REQUIREMENT: A substantial research paper

This course is on the approved upper-level writing requirement course list.