ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 July 1978
Page Count: 8

Alternatives in Psychiatric Testimony on Dangerousness
Smith, JT
Medical officer, Psychiatry, Division of Forensic Programs; and attorney, Office of the Legal Advisor, Saint Elizabeth's Hospital, D.C.

English, MJ
Medical officer, Psychiatry, Division of Forensic Programs; and attorney, Office of the Legal Advisor, Saint Elizabeth's Hospital, D.C.

(Received 27 October 1977; accepted 2 December 1977)

Abstract

In the District of Columbia, as in many state jurisdictions, psychiatrists are likely to encounter the issue of testifying in a court regarding their “predictions of future dangerousness” in two situations: (a) during the process of involuntary civil commitment or commitment after a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity in a criminal case and (b) upon petition for a conditional or unconditional release after commitment in a criminal case [1ߝ3]. The criteria for civil commitment in the District of Columbia are mental illness and a finding that the mentally ill individual is likely to injure himself or others because of his mental illness [4]. The standard is similar after a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity [5, 6].

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Paper ID: JFS10710J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10710J
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