Forensic Psychiatry
&
Expert Witness Services
at Peace Behavioral Health
Call now: (207)-200-4789
At Peace Behavioral Health, we recognize that legal cases often involve complex mental health issues that require expert evaluation and interpretation. Our forensic psychiatrists serve as a vital bridge between psychology and the law, offering objective, evidence-based insights that assist attorneys, courts, and individuals in navigating mental health-related legal matters.
We offer expertise in psychiatric assessments, expert testimony, violence or other psychiatric risk evaluations, psychiatric standard of care, substance use evaluations, court ordered mental health evaluations, psychiatric capacity to stand trial, psychiatric capacity for medical or legal decision making, disability evaluations, psychiatric/medical malpractice case review and testimony, psychiatric expert consultation, testimony, & report writing for a variety of situations. Our team ensures that critical mental health factors are thoroughly examined and clearly presented in legal proceedings.
Comprehensive Mental Health Evaluations in Legal Contexts
A forensic psychiatric evaluation is a structured, objective analysis of an individual’s mental health status as it pertains to legal matters. These evaluations are conducted with an evidence-based approach and can provide crucial and objective insights into a variety of legal questions.
We specialize in assessing:
- Competency to Stand Trial – Determining whether an individual possesses the mental state and ability to understand legal proceedings and actively participate in their defense.
- Criminal Responsibility & Insanity Defense – Evaluating an individual’s mental state at the time of an offense to assess diminished responsibility or potential insanity defenses.
- Capacity for Decision-Making – Assessing whether an individual has the mental competency to make legally binding decisions, such as in cases involving testamentary capacity, guardianship, or contractual disputes.
- Psychological Fitness for Employment & Security Clearances – Providing expert evaluations in cases where mental health conditions may impact professional roles, including law enforcement, military service, and high-security positions.
Expert Testimony in Court
Forensic psychiatrists play a crucial role in legal proceedings by offering expert testimony that explains complex psychiatric findings in a way that is understandable and impactful for judges, attorneys, and juries.
Our testimony supports cases involving:
- Criminal Law – Addressing mental illness defenses, and sentencing considerations.
- Civil Litigation – Providing expert opinions on emotional distress claims, disability disputes, and personal injury cases.
- Malpractice Case Review & Testimony – Reviewing medical records and identifying deviations from standard of care practices and resulting medical or psychiatric conditions as well as pain and suffering.
- Employment Disputes – Assessing whether psychiatric conditions contribute to workplace conflicts, wrongful termination claims, or disability accommodations.
Psychiatric Record Reviews
& Case Analysis
In many legal cases, a thorough review of psychiatric records is necessary to establish a clear understanding of an individual’s mental health history. Our forensic psychiatrists meticulously analyze medical and psychological records to:
- Identify patterns of mental health symptoms that may be relevant to a case.
- Detect inconsistencies or omissions that could impact legal arguments.
- Evaluate previous diagnoses and treatments to determine their validity, appropriateness, and implications.
This process ensures that courts and legal professionals have an accurate and comprehensive view of an individual’s psychiatric background.
Consultation on Psychological Trauma & PTSD
Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can significantly impact an individual’s behavior, decision-making, and emotional well-being. Our forensic psychiatrists assess psychological trauma in cases involving:
- Personal Injury – Evaluating the psychiatric impact of accidents, medical malpractice, or violent incidents.
- Workplace Harassment & Discrimination – Assessing claims of psychiatric distress related to hostile work environments.
- Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence – Providing expert evaluations on trauma, psychological harm, and long-term psychiatric consequences.
Our assessments help determine the severity, causation, and long-term implications of trauma-related conditions, ensuring that victims receive fair legal consideration.
Violence & Risk Assessments
Courts and legal professionals often require expert opinions on an individual’s potential risk for future violence, self-harm, or criminal behavior. Our forensic psychiatrists conduct structured risk assessments to evaluate:
- Likelihood of recidivism – Assessing whether an individual is at risk for reoffending.
- Potential for violence – Evaluating threats in criminal cases, workplace settings, or domestic disputes.
- Risk of self-harm – Evaluating risks of suicide or self-destructive behaviors and appropriate safeguards in legal contexts such as civil commitment hearings.
These evaluations are critical in sentencing decisions, parole hearings, and involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations.
Why Choose
Peace Behavioral Health?
1. Extensive Expertise in Forensic Psychiatry
Our psychiatrists have experience in forensic evaluations and expert testimony. We understand the scientific, medical, and legal standards required to provide credible, objective, and defensible assessments in court.
2. Objective Approach
We provide factual, evidence-based psychiatric evaluations that uphold the integrity of the legal process. Our role is to inform and clarify, ensuring that mental health considerations are fairly and accurately represented.
3. Clear & Effective Communication
Forensic psychiatry involves complex medical and psychological concepts. Our psychiatrists are trained to translate technical findings into clear, accessible language that judges, attorneys, and juries can understand, enhancing the impact of psychiatric evidence in legal cases.
Serving Legal Professionals Nationwide
With Maine and Florida being our primary service areas, we are also able to offer our forensic psychiatry and expert witness services in 22 additional states, including:
CA, DE, DC, HI, ID, KY, MA, MN, MO, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, NY, OR, RI, SD, VT, WA, WI, WY.
State regulations regarding forensic psychiatry and expert witness services are subject to change. Please contact us to confirm availability in your jurisdiction.
Whether you are:
- An attorney seeking an expert psychiatric witness for a case
- A government entity requesting a forensic mental health evaluation, substance use, risk assessment, capacity, or other psychiatric evaluation
- An individual involved in a legal proceeding requiring psychiatric expertise
Contact us today to discuss your forensic psychiatry and expert witness needs. See Also: Court Ordered Evaluations
All cases are reviewed and accepted on a case-by-case basis. We provide medical expertise for use in legal proceedings, we do not provide legal advice and nothing on our website should be taken as legal advice.