Forensic Psychiatrist and Expert Witness, Los Angeles

Who this is for

• Criminal defense and prosecution teams needing an opinion on mental state at the time of an offense.
• Civil litigators handling emotional distress, psychiatric injury, or disability claims.
• Counsel addressing testamentary capacity, undue influence, or conservatorship questions.
• Attorneys and firms who need a records review before deciding whether to retain a testifying expert.
• Companies and investigators seeking scientific consultation on neuroscience or psychopharmacology evidence.

Areas of evaluation

Engagements typically involve criminal responsibility and the insanity defense, competency and capacity questions, psychiatric causation and damages, the effects of psychotropic medication, and the interpretation of psychosis, bipolar disorder, neurocognitive impairment, and substance-induced states in a legal context.

What an engagement looks like

Most engagements begin with a conflict check and a preliminary review of the available records, followed by a written scope and fee agreement. Depending on the question, the work may include record review, a direct examination of the evaluee, collateral interviews, a written report, deposition, and trial testimony. Opinions are formed from the record and the evidence base, and are given whether or not they favor the retaining party.