Sentencing Decisions

Overview

Preparation

1. Read Week 6 Assignment: Sentencing Decisions [PDF], (attached) a fictitious case scenario, for insight into how forensic psychology affects the courts.
2. Put yourself in the shoes of a criminal justice intern shadowing the forensic psychologist in a local court. The psychologist has asked you to do some research for a workshop she’s hosting about psychological aspects related to the court process to help the community understand the role of a forensic psychologist and what they can bring to the criminal justice system.?

Instructions

Use the case scenario and other resources to ?write a 2–3 page report addressing the following questions:

1. What did the psychologist do to determine if Mr. Bell was competent to stand trial?
2. What role did the psychologist play in the determining whether Mr. Bell was mentally ill or developmentally delayed in his court hearing?
3. What assessment tools did the psychologist use to determine Mr. Bell’s diagnosis? (Various assessment tools are covered in Chapter 10 in your textbook).
4. What additional assessment did the forensic psychologist use to determine what facility Mr. Bell should be placed in??

Use three academic resources to support your responses. The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:

• Examine the psychological understanding and response to offending behavior, encompassing the courts.?