ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the ways in which mental health professionals (MHPs) can assist the court, defense lawyers, and prosecutors in evaluating juvenile homicide offenders. MHPs who do forensic work are often involved in evaluating competency of the defendant at several stages in the criminal justice process, as well as the mental status (sanity) of the accused at the time of the crime. MHPs frequently identify mitigating factors and participate in sentencing and resentencing hearings. After summarizing the important roles played by MHPs in the criminal justice arena, I discuss the “nuts and bolts” of conducting a forensic evaluation of juvenile homicide offenders. I emphasize the need for corroboration and highlight important components of my clinical evaluations. I conclude this chapter by reviewing the topics I address in my forensic reports and recapping the key takeaway points.
