The Psychiatrist in Court A Survival Guide

For some practicing psychiatrists, the prospect of going to court is as welcome an idea as surgery without anesthesia. Every psychiatrist has heard colleagues’ lurid tales of their appearances in court-whether as defendants or as an expert witnesses-where merciless lawyers dissected their testimony in public, leaving their professional reputation in tatters. Unfortunately, court appearances are becoming a fact of life in today’s litigious society. Knowledge and preparation are necessary to prevent court proceedings from damaging your reputation. The Psychiatrist in Court: A Survival Guidewill help you navigate the dangers lurking beneath the surface of the courtroom appearance. To lessen your dread and quell your fears about this stressful situation, this book succinctly illustrates the basics of the legal process, including the setting, the assumptions, the personnel, and the issues and techniques involved. Drawing on his internationally recognized expertise as a forensic psychiatrist and expert witness, Dr. Thomas Gutheil describes the legal process step by step from the subpoena and deposition to the actual trial and describes the surprises and pitfalls that lay in your path. He outlines different approaches to testifying on the witness stand and discusses the various roles a psychiatrist may play in court procedure. Mixing humor and a cheerful informality, Dr. Gutheil uses examples drawn from hundreds of actual cases and countless consultations with colleagues to show you how to deal with the legal system successfully. Practical, readable, and supportive, The Psychiatrist in Court: A Survival Guidecontains all the hands-on tips you will need to face your courtroom appearance with confidence and aplomb. Because knowledge and preparation are the keys to a successful trial experience, this book is a guide that you cannot be without.