"Judicial Notebook" is a project of SPSSI (APA Div. 9)

When rights collide

A person accused of murder believes mental health records may help prove his defense. Should constitutional rights outweigh therapist-patient confidentiality?
Pearce, M. W. (2020, November 1). When rights collide. Monitor on Psychology, 51(8).

November 2020 Monitor on Psychology

In this issue: special report on the turmoil of 2020, patient pressure, health and gender equity, climate change, trainee competency, COVID-19 and the brain, and more.
(November 2020)

Just how private are treatment records?

The court is asked to consider therapist-patient privilege in a case in which treatment records may exonerate a man accused of sexual abuse.
Calkins, C., & Abrams, D. (2020, October 1). Just how private are treatment records? Monitor on Psychology, 51(7).

Vicarious trauma among the nation's prison staff

The emotional burden on staff before and after executions can be overwhelming, but there are interventions in place for staff who have to help carry out death sentences.
LaFortune, K. A. (2020, September 1). Vicarious trauma among the nation's prison staff. Monitor on Psychology, 51(6).

Racial stereotyping and misdiagnosis of child abuse

Stereotypes that link race and child abuse may cause medical practitioners to suspect abuse when it hasn’t occurred, and to miss it when it has.
Bernstein, K. M., Najdowski, C. J., & Wahrer, K. S. (2020, July 1). Racial stereotyping and misdiagnosis of child abuse. Monitor on Psychology, 51(5).

Privacy versus public health

Psychologists can help policymakers understand the public’s expectations around digital privacy.
Robbennolt, J. (2020, June 1). Privacy versus public health. Monitor on Psychology, 51(4)

What sways a death penalty decision?

Psychology is exploring which mitigating factors lead judges and jurors to decide whether to hand down life imprisonment versus a death sentence.Vallano, J. P. (2020, April 1). What sways a death penalty decision? Monitor on Psychology, 51(3).

Will this man remain convicted?

Does a conviction by a nonunanimous jury violate the Constitution?
Wittlin, M., & Pearce, M. W. (2020, March 1). Will this man remain convicted? Monitor on Psychology, 51(2).

What is fair compensation?

Class action lawsuit awards may go to charity instead of victims. Pahre, J., Robbennolt, J., & Wexler, D. B. (2020, January 1). What is fair compensation? Monitor on Psychology, 51(1).