Law and Mental Health; A Case-Based Approach

This volume presents classic and contemporary legal cases that have set important precedents related to psychological and mental health issues in criminal and civil proceedings; the role of practitioners as expert witnesses and forensic consultants; and legal concerns in general clinical practice. Engagingly written, the book brings to life the details of each case and the personal stories involved, while also providing a solid introduction to foundational issues in the field. Forensic and clinical professionals will find this a highly informative resource, and it will also be useful for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses and professional training.

Robert G. Meyer, PhD, is a Full Professor of Psychology at the University of Louisville. He received his MA and PhD from Michigan State University, is board-certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in both clinical and forensic psychology, and is a fellow in Divisions 12 (Clinical) and 41 (Law and Psychology) of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Meyer has published over 60 articles, 23 book chapters, and 14 books. He is past editor of the [i]Bulletin of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology[/i] and a past-president of the Kentucky Psychological Association. He received the regional Grawemeyer Award (with Steven Smith) from the University of Louisville for innovative curriculum development for their course in law and psychology.

Christopher M. Weaver, PhD, is currently a Research Fellow at the University of California/n-/San Francisco (funded by the National Institutes of Health). Dr. Weaver received his MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Louisville, where his research focused on the assessment of psychopathy and recidivism risk in sex offenders. He received the Grawemeyer Fellowship Award for outstanding psychology research while at the University of Louisville, where he continues collaborative research with the Kentucky Department of Corrections. Dr. Weaver is coauthor (with Robert G. Meyer) of [i]The Clinician's Handbook, Fifth Edition[/i]; has published and presented on sexual addiction, execution of offenders with mental retardation, and professional issues in forensic psychology; and was assistant editor of the [i]Bulletin of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology[/i].