Sex Offender Risk Assessment: A Case Law Review
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Training Description
Court-mandated clients and particularly, sexual offenders deemed sexually violent predators (SVPs) present certain unique challenges and legal issues. At times we are faced with dilemmas due to courts challenging the admission of scientific evidence (e.g., risk assessments). As such, it is important that mental health and criminal justice professionals understand the history and challenges of utilizing actuarial risk assessment evidence and expert testimony in these cases. In this 90-minute presentation, attendees will learn about the methodology and limitations of research, history of sexual offender commitment laws, Supreme Court case law, and state-level cases that have challenged admission of actuarial risk assessment evidence and expert testimony. Relevant research findings, actuarial risk assessments, and case study accounts will be presented throughout the session.
Trainer Biography
Jennifer Kamorowski, JD is a licensed attorney and a former intern with the Global Institute of Forensic Research. She works as a defense investigator for the Military Commissions Defense Organization and as a lecturer at George Mason University. Her principal research interests include sentencing policy, collateral consequences for criminal convictions, and human rights and international law.
Learning Objectives
This training is designed to help you:
- Describe and critically consider the development of sexual offender commitment history over time
- Identify the Supreme Court cases challenging civil commitment of individuals deemed sexually violent predators (SVPs)
- Describe and critically consider the challenges in state courts to actuarial and expert testimony through use of case examples