Forensic Psychiatry
Forensic psychiatry is a subspecialty of general psychiatry that focuses on the interface between psychiatry and the law, such as when psychiatric questions arise in a legal context or when legal questions arise in a psychiatric context.
A forensic psychiatrist brings psychiatric expertise to bear on legal questions arising in various civil and criminal contexts.
- Typical civil issues include fitness for duty, disability, personal injury, sexual harassment, guardianship, commitment, and malpractice.
- Typical criminal issues include psychiatric defenses, competency to stand trial or waive rights, and sentencing recommendations.
- Legal issues that may arise in the course of mental health practice include violence and suicide risk assessment, correctional psychiatry, and capacity assessment.
For further information about these services please contact Andrea Stolar, M.D.
Phone: 713-798-4997
E-mail: stolar@bcm.edu