Legal Issues in Clinical Practice with Victims of Violence

From a leading expert on interpersonal violence, this book explains what mental health clinicians need to know about the legal system and their role in it, particularly when working with victims of child abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. John E. B. Myers provides an accessible overview of the criminal and civil justice systems, focusing on laws, cases, and procedures that are relevant to clinical practice. Numerous illustrative examples and legal cases are included. The book examines how interpersonal violence is proven in court and offers practical guidance for responding to subpoenas, interacting with legal personnel, testifying as an expert witness or fact witness, and managing liability and malpractice risks.

John E. B. Myers, JD, is Professor of Law in the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento, California. An authority on legal and historical aspects of child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual assault, elder abuse, and mental health, he has published 14 books and 146 articles and chapters related to mental health and interpersonal violence and has given more than 400 presentations across the United States and abroad. His writing has been cited by more than 190 courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

I. The Basics
1. The American Legal System
II. The Criminal Justice System
2. Crimes and Defenses
3. Criminal Investigation and Trial
4. Hearsay
III. The Civil Justice System
5. Family Law
6. Child Protective Services and Juvenile Court
7. Voluntary and Involuntary Mental Health Treatment
IV. Clinicians and Courts
8. Testifying in Court
9. Expert Testimony
10. Confidentiality and Privilege
11. Malpractice and Ethical Violations
V. Proving Interpersonal Violence in Court
12. Proof in Court
13. Concluding Thoughts