The psychiatrist-witness and legal guilt
Abstract
Psychiatrist-witnesses testifying in criminal cases are usually asked if the defendant's mental state at the time of the offense met the legal standards for mitigation or exculpation. These standards use a commonsense frame of reference resting on assumptions of free will and self-control, which may differ from the framework clinical psychiatrists usually employ in their work. An understanding of the process of "transduction" between different systems may help resolve problems created by these different frames of reference.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).
