1st Edition
Evaluating Juvenile Transfer and Disposition Law, Science, and Practice
Focusing on juvenile transfer and disposition evaluations, this volume provides an up-to-date integration of current law, science, and practice with respect to juvenile risk assessment, treatment needs/amenability, and sophistication-maturity. Included are perspectives relating to international practices, use of specialized assessment tools, and a separate chapter on resentencing following US Supreme Court decisions on juveniles sentenced to mandatory life without parole. This text will be a useful and comprehensive reference for forensic psychologists and other mental health professionals engaged in juvenile evaluation, as well as legal professionals, juvenile and criminal justice professionals, and others involved with juvenile assessment, decision-making, and rehabilitation.
Biography
Kirk Heilbrun, PhD, is professor in the Department of Psychology at Drexel University. He directs the forensic assessment clinic and the Reentry Project, both based in the department. He has published a number of books, articles, and chapters in the areas of forensic mental health assessment, diversion, and juvenile delinquency.
David DeMatteo, JD, PhD, is an associate professor of psychology and law at Drexel University, and director of Drexel’s JD/PhD Program in law and psychology. His research interests include psychopathic personality, juvenile and adult offenders, forensic mental health assessment, and offender diversion. He is currently president of the American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS; APA Division 41).
Christopher King, JD, PhD, is an assistant professor of psychology at Montclair State University.
Sarah Filone, MS, is a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at Drexel University.
“This book aims far higher than a recipe for juvenile disposition and transfer evaluations. It explains why you are doing them, focuses on what factors you need to evaluate, and comprehensively lays out your options for designing your assessment. And if you are looking for research ideas, the possibilities here are endless.”—Thomas Grisso, PhD, ABPP (Forensic), emeritus professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School
“This book is the place to go for a comprehensive, intelligent overview of the issues surrounding forensic testimony in complex, serious juvenile cases. It weaves together legal analysis, juvenile justice constructs, developmental psychology, research on outcomes and patterns of offending, and straightforward clinical guidelines—all in an eminently readable format. This is a first-rate piece of serious legal and clinical scholarship that firmly grounds the young practitioner and scholar and provides a valuable context and explication of issues for the more seasoned professional.”—Edward P. Mulvey, PhD, professor of psychiatry, director, Law and Psychiatry Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
“Any mental health professional involved in juvenile justice should read this book, not only because transfer of juveniles to adult court is a ubiquitous aspect of juvenile justice, but because recent Supreme Court opinions have also made evaluation of rehabilitative potential crucial for those adults who committed crimes while juveniles. This book describes all the up-to-date tools needed to carry out this incredibly important aspect of the juvenile justice system.”—Christopher Slobogin, JD, LLM, Milton Underwood Professor of Law, Vanderbilt University Law School
