midterm Flashcards
In assessing criminal responsibility, what methods are used?
interview accused, review records, interview people who know the accused, administer psychological tests
prov courts
1) trial courts
2) provincially appointed judges
3) they hear most CRIMINAL cases, about half of the family cases, almost all youth cases, and civil cases with small amounts of money
4) no option to be tried by jury
5) Decisions are not binding but persuasive to other courts of same level
which court do summary offences go to?
provincial court
Behavioural therapy
identify and change self-destructive behaviours
what is the role of an expert witness?
a person who testifies in court about opinions based on specialized knowledge that they possess
malingering
exaggerating/faking psychological/physical symptoms to achieve external incentive
which sec of the charter allowed legislators to pass a law that is contrary to Charter rights?
s. 1 - if it is a reasonable limit that can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society
In the BC Civil Commitment Procedures, what must the physician certify about the person in question?
1) requires treatment in or through designated facility
2) requires CARE, SUPERVISION, and CONTROL to prevent substantial mental/physical deterioration
3) cannot suitably be admitted VOLUNTARILY
a person is designated a “long-term offender” if
1) sentence of 2 years or more
2) substantial risk that the offender will reoffend
3) reasonable possibility of eventual control of the risk
harmony of competencies
a single standard should apply across all evaluations
____ competence is tested, not ______ competence
legal, psychological
ethical issues for correctional psychologists
confidentiality, informed consent, competence, identity of client (client is the institution the psychologist works at, not the inmate)
prov superior courts
1) trial courts
2) federally appointed judges
3) they hear some criminal/civil cases, applications for divorce, and appeals from prov courts on small claims, family cases, and less serious criminal matters
4) Decisions are binding and persuasive to other courts of the same level or lower
mental disorder may negate ____ ____
mens rea
what does conviction of manslaughter req?
the proof that the actions of the accused CAUSED the death of the victim, and the mens rea of 1st and 2nd degree CANNOT be proven
risk assessment purpose
to find likelihood that individuals will commit acts of violence and develop interventions to manage/reduce likelihood of violence
Constitution Act, 1867 - division of powers
powers to pass laws in Canada were divided so provinces were given jurisdiction over some areas and the federal gov were given powers to pass laws in other areas.
Haneys taxonomy to describe the multiple relationships of psych and the law (3)
1) psychology IN the law (how psych is used in legal issues)
2) psychology AND the law (using psychological principles to analyze and examine the legal system)
3) psychology OF the law (conjoint relationship between the law and psych)
what are the professional associations of forensic psychology? (3)
1) American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS) - PRIMARY ONE
2) European Association of Psychology and Law (EAPL)
3) Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and the Law (ANZAPPL)
mental disorder is _____ to be deemed NCRMD, but not _____
necessary, sufficient
who brings the case to court in civil law?
plaintiff
Parens Patriae excludes…
those who CANNOT be treated
SCC
1) Appeal court only
2) 5, 7, or 9 judges
3) federally appointed judges
4) binding on ALL inferior courts that are subject to that law
5) is not binding to itself and can reverse own decisions
respondent
used in CRIMINAL cases, respondent is the person responding to the appeal
the # of unfit and NCRMD defendants is rising. why?
issue of mental disorder is being raised more and courts are more likely to find the accused unfit or NCRMD
T/F: mental disorder ISN’T always necessary to establish incompetence
TRUE
4 sources of law
1) Charter
2) legislation (federal/provincial)
3) common law
4) administrative law
IF the accused ADMITS to committing the offence, there are 4 classes of defences
1) NEGATE the ACTUS REUS (involuntary act)
2) NEGATE the MENS REA (mentally disordered at time of offence)
3) Justification (self defence)
4) Excuse (entrapment, necessity)
For Haneys taxonomy of psychology OF the law, there are two major categories to examining psychology’s role in the law
1) psychologists can study the origins and existence of law
OR
2) psychologists can study HOW laws operate as a determinant of behaviour
there is no ____ ____ in Police powers
involuntary treatment
who is the trier of law and trier of fact if a case is being heard by a judge and jury
judge - trier of law
jury - trier of fact
when is statutory release?
after serving 2/3 of sentence UNLESS Crown can establish why they shouldn’t be released
ethical issues for evaluators and treatment providers
1) informed consent
2) confidentiality
3) competence
Offenders are assessed for (3) and the risk level determines (3)
1) suicide risk
2) risk to others
3) other assessments (e.g. healthcare needs)
1) level of security
2) type/intensity of treatment
3) level of risk of recidivism
what does conviction of second degree murder req?
the mens rea that the accused INTENDED to cause bodily harm, knew that death was likely, and recklessly disregarded it
NCRMD
mental disorder has resulted in inability to form intention to commit crime or inability to APPRECIATE that the crime was legally or morally wrong
NCRMD Offender release criteria
1) protection of the public
2) mental condition of detainee
3) reintegration of detainee back into society
4) other needs of offender
for medical assistance in dying, individuals MUST give their
informed consent. they must know of their medical diagnosis, available forms of treatment, and available options to relieve suffering
Administrative law
when fed/prov gov may DELEGATE powers to administrative tribunals. Administrative tribunals deal with issues such as:
1) allegations of breaches of human rights
2) employment standards
3) immigration
4) parole
5) and some mental health issues
a person is designated a “dangerous offender” if
1) convicted of a serious personal injury offence
2) offender constitutes a THREAT to the LIFE, SAFETY, PHYSICAL/MENTAL well being of other persons
what happens when an individual is found FIT to stand trial?
1) proceed to trial
2) MAY be detained in hospital for duration of TRIAL
child neglect
the omission of necessary acts by person who cares for child, resulting in safety and well-being of child being deliberately/recklessly threatened
who brings the case to court in criminal law?
the crown
purpose of civil law
restorative
Canada’s division of power is NOT residual power, but rather if…
the federal gov tries to pass a law in an area that is the exclusive domain of the prov’s, the federal gov will be struck down as ULTRA VIRES - outside the jurisdiction
admissibility
determination of whether or not evidence can be heard
Police powers: basis for authority =
public protection
for cases heard in PROV SUPERIOR COURTS, accused persons may elect TRIAL BY JUDGE ALONE or TRIAL BY JUDGE AND JURY IF…..
they may be subject to a prison term of 5 years or more.
appellant
used in CRIMINAL cases, appellant is the person calling for the appeal
cognitive behavioural therapy
identify, challenge, and change dysfunctional emotions, behaviours and thoughts
individuals found unfit are less likely to be charged with _____ ____ or have a ____ _____ disorder
violent crime, or have a substance use disorder
if the roots of forensic psych could be traced to one person, who would it be?
Hugo Munsterberg that wrote On the Witness Stand
list the 4 provinces in Canada where they hold the belief that people who are involuntarily committed are deemed incompetent to make treatment decisions
1) BC
2) Saskatchewan
3) Nova Scotia
4) Newfoundland/Labrador
defendant
defendant is the person responding to to the action brought upon by the plaintiff
common-law
law that derives from previously decided cases. Not written in legislation
Adjudicative competency/competency to proceed
umbrella term for all types of criminal competencies; fitness to stand trial
what is the standard of proof for civil law?
balance of probabilities
what is the role of an academic?
research, teaching, education-related
4 levels of courts (bottom to top)
1) prov courts
2) prov superior courts
3) prov courts of appeal
4) SCC
which court gives the option for judge alone or judge and jury?
provincial superior court
issues with risk assessment tools
1) definition of harm was not intended to match the legal definitions used in various jurisdictions
2) none are comprehensive and there is always an element of subjectivity
3) impossible to estimate the specific probability that an individual will commit harm in the future
explain s. 51 of the Charter and s. 24
s. 51 is for when legislation WRITTEN OUT infringes a charter right.
s. 24 is for when the way the law was APPLIED infringes a charter right
explain before the guidelines how parenting capacity evaluations were in practice
1) evaluators advocated towards one parent
2) spent about 19 hours on evaluations
3) use general psychological tests
4) didn’t make specific recommendations
dialectical behavioural therapy
learn new skills to manage dysfunctional emotions, behaviours and thoughts
prevalence of substance abuse and personality disorders in jails and prisons
up to 90%
since s. 7 of Charter gets violated with involuntary treatment, your procedural protections are
1) right to legal representation
2) right to regular review of commitment
3) party seeking civil commitment must prove grounds for civil commitment
4) decisions must respect LEAST RESTRICTIVE ALTERNATIVE PRINCIPLE
5) right to appeal commitment decisions
purpose of criminal law
Punitive
to get someone out of criminal responsibility, they must prove the presence of a mental disorder AND demonstrate that the person was incapable of
1) appreciate NATURE and QUALITY of act/omission
OR
2) knowing act/omission was WRONG
a doctoral level degree is required in order to become licensed as a psychologist in _____ ______ ______ _____
1) BC
2) Manitoba
3) Ontario
4) Quebec
define capitalized words. Civil Commitment is when there is an IMMINENT risk of SERIOUS harm due to ACUTE mental disorder
IMMINENT: likely to occur in immediate future
SERIOUS: harm has potential to result in major injury/death
ACUTE: serious mental disorder that impairs rational decision making and regulating actions
Rogers Criminal Responsibility Assessment Scale
Systematically quantifies psychological (e.g., serious of hallucinations) & situational (e.g., level of intoxication) variables at time of offence
s. 91
federal powers
why would it be better for the court to appoint experts?
it may help with UNBIASED testimony and have a POSITIVE effect on the perceived credibility of the experts
remand facilities detain individuals when
1) they are serving a sentence less than 2yrs
2) they are given a federal sentence and must remain in remand until the appeal period expires
3) they have outstanding charges/awaiting transfer to another facility
4) other admin/legal reasons
ethical issues for trial consultants
must be sure to practice within the bounds of their competence, guaranteeing the outcome of a case, ensure that sample sizes are large, honestly report data, not taint witnesses during prep
mens rea
a guilt mind
Prevalence of psychotic disorders in jails and prisons
up to 10%
which court has no jury option?
provincial court
the doctrine of stare decisis is important because it provides a measure of ______ and _____ in the law
predictability and certainty
weight
determination of how important evidence is deemed to be
who much prove the case in civil law?
plaintiff
what are the crimes for cases involving NCRMD?
14% murder; 54% violent offences
child maltreatment is heavily influenced by _____ _____
cultural considerations
Parens Patriae powers
having the power to act as GUARDIAN/CARETAKER for PHYSICALLY/MENTALLY ILL and MAKE DECISIONS about welfare
for medical assistance in dying, individuals must give informed consent at
1) the time of request
2) immediately before medical assistance in dying is provided
Indictable offences
more serious offences. 3 classifications;
1) some indictable offences are WITHIN the exclusive jurisdiction of a SUPERIOR court (most serious - 1st degree)
2) some indictable offences are WITHIN the exclusive jurisdiction of the PROVINCIAL court (least serious - betting house)
3) some are ELECTABLE offences. The accused decides if the case will be heard in a provincial or in a superior court (ex. manslaughter)
MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool-Criminal Adjudication (MacCAT-CA)
it measures an individuals ability to plead guilty and proceed to trial.
It assesses the accused;
1) APPRECIATION of own legal situation and circumstances
2) UNDERSTANDING of the legal process
3) REASONING about relevant info and legal options
Inquisitorial system
1) Used in European countries.
2) Law is codified.
3) Judges play an active role at trial in terms of directing the trial and INQUIRING.
4) experts are appointed by the court
what is the role of a treatment provider at the criminal and civil level?
offer treatment/programs for those involved in the criminal/civil proceedings
Criminal: restore competence, develop programs for offenders unfit to stand trial, insane at time of crime, or at high-risk to re-offend
Civil: provide family services, treat psychological injuries
ethical issues and challenges for psychologists? (4)
1) multiple roles taken on
2) confidentiality and privilege
3) being objective/neutral (no favouring sides/concealing info)
4) conducting ethical research (informed consent/voluntary participation. Honestly report data)