Forensic Services
Forensic services are offered for criminal defense attorneys who have concerns regarding a client’s cognitive functioning and/or mental health status. I offer the following forensic-related services: Competency Restoration Training, Mental Status-Style Interviews, Comprehensive Social History Interviews, and Expert Witness Services. Descriptions provided below.
When working with defendants, I caution them to not discuss guilt or innocence regarding any pending charges or open CPS cases.
If you are not a criminal defense attorney but believe you or a loved one could benefit from these services, please contact your defense attorney for further discussion. Provide them with my contact information so that they may get in touch with me on your behalf.
Forensic Competency Restoration Training
Provided by court-order only. Community-based training services are provided for adults who are facing criminal charges and have been identified as, “not competent to proceed with trial” under Article 46B of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Sessions are one-on-one to tailor the pace and depth of training to the individual. Prior to beginning training, I consult with the defense counsel to gather more information about the defendant and their criminal charges. During the training period, I am available for consultation with the defense counsel and provide periodic progress reports upon request. If challenges to training are encountered, I contact defense counsel to report and attempt to resolve these challenges. When the training period ends, a signed, written summary of the defendant’s training is provided to the defense counsel and the court, as needed.
Mental Status-style Interview
One-on-one interview with a defendant to help defense counsel resolve concerns regarding competency to stand trial. This interview is utilized to gather more information about the defendant’s current functioning to help defense counsel make a determination about the need for a full competency evaluation administered by a licensed psychologist. I cannot and do not provide a competency evaluation.
Comprehensive Social History Interview
One-on-one interview with a defendant to get a complete picture of their history. This includes discussing and exploring: academic background, social relationships, familial relationships, MHMR involvement, medical history, past and current prescription medications, instances of relocation, especially during childhood, history of food insecurity, parents’ methods of discipline, history of being unhoused, abuse history (sexual, physical, emotional), history of drug use, any known mental health challenges in their family, neglect history, exploitation history, criminal history, periods of incarceration/community supervision, CPS involvement during childhood or as a suspected perpetrator, hospitalizations (medical or psychiatric), romantic relationship history, past and current mental health services, parenthood, etc. This interview is typically used to identify mitigation factors for sentencing, but it can also serve as a tool to provide a more thorough understanding of a defendant and develop more effective means of communication and cooperation in service of their defense. This interview takes several hours to complete and is best administered during multiple meetings.
Expert Witness Services
In November 2022, I was accepted as an expert witness in the 51st District Court of Tom Green County, Texas. At that time, I gave testimony about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how trauma related to ACEs has been shown to continue to significantly impact an individual well into adulthood.
I was also accepted as an expert witness regarding an individual’s suitability for probation.
For expert witness services, I complete the above-mentioned comprehensive social history interview, conduct a review of discovery, and meet with defense counsel prior to interviewing a defendant and periodically during the time leading up to a hearing. I conduct subject matter research if the defense counsel requests testimony about a specific topic in the field of mental health and provide information for sources consulted. Throughout this process, I can provide written summaries and/or a final report, as requested by the defense counsel.
PLEASE NOTE: I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate supervised by Vanessa King, MEd, LPC-Supervisor. I have a strong interest in working in areas of criminal justice where it is appropriate and ethical for me to do so. I am not a licensed psychologist. I do not have a PhD or a PsyD. I do not administer competency evaluations, and I do not administer evaluations to determine a person’s sanity. I do not provide diagnoses in court proceedings. I am not a Licensed Sex Offender Treatment Provider (LSOTP) or an Affiliate Sex Offender Treatment Provider (ASOTP). For questions or concerns regarding my qualifications to offer forensic services or for questions or concerns you may have about my forensic service offerings, please reach out to me for further discussion.