SERVICES
AVAILABLE TO ATTORNEYS
Representing Clients In Custody Disputes
Evaluator
screening
Assistance is
offered to attorneys in screening proposed evaluators. In
particular, assistance can be provided in examining the
practitioner's education, training, and experience in the
specialty of forensic psychology and the sub-specialty of
custodial fitness evaluation.
Review
services
We are
available to review reports prepared by other evaluators and to
offer commentary concerning procedural matters; the selection of
assessment instruments; the interpretation of assessment data;
and, the degree to which opinions expressed are or are not
supported by the data presented. When raw data,
contemporaneously-taken notes, and documents considered by the
evaluator are made available, an extensive analysis is possible.
Litigation
support services – unfavorable report
If our review
reveals deficiencies and if litigation support services are
desired, we will assist attorneys in preparing for trial by
proposing specific questions and general areas of inquiry for
use in cross-examination of the evaluator and/or will assist
attorneys at trial by listening to testimony and, on the basis
of the testimony offered, suggesting questions for
cross-examination.
Expert
testimony
If testimony
is sought, we will offer expert testimony concerning
deficiencies identified in our review of an evaluator's work.
Litigation
support services – favorable report
An advisory
report in which opinions offered are supportive of your client’s
position does not assure a judicial decision favorable to the
client. Some experts emerge unscathed from cross-examination;
some do not. Several types of assistance can be provided.
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Aspects of
the report that are likely to be the focus of
cross-examination or likely to be the object of criticism by
an opposing expert can be identified, so that pre-trial
preparation can be more effectively targeted.
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Specific
questions can be prepared and/or areas of inquiry can be
described, enabling the attorney conducting the direct
examination to elicit from the friendly expert information
that will serve to clarify poorly articulated portions of
the advisory report or supplement information that is
deficient.
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Specific
questions can be prepared that will enable the expert to
explain the nexus between reported findings and criteria
that have been statutorily specified or established as
pertinent in case law.
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Assistance
can be provided at trial, during the cross-examination of
the friendly expert.
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Specific
questions can be prepared for use in the cross-examination
of an opposing expert.
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Assistance
can be provided at trial, during the cross-examination of an
opposing expert.
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If
appropriate, testimony can be offered in support of the
evaluator's methodology. Note that testimony in support of
the evaluator's opinions and recommendations cannot be
offered.
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