PSYC 3365 - Law, Psychology, and the Mental Health System

This class will review the civil and criminal law as it relates to mental health issues. Particular emphasis will be given to the justification of mental health law concepts, such as civil commitment and parens patriae power. Topics will include competence to stand trial, insanity, civil commitment, sexual predator commitment statutes, confidentiality, duty to warn, informed consent, malpractice, and issues of expert testimony. Legal cases will be examined to give the students a foundation in actual legal case law. Ethical issues and issues of professional responsibility will be covered. 3 credits.