Services

Services Offered: Criminal, Civil, Family and Consultation:

Like any type of service offered, the provision is based on a full and complete briefing by the solicitor, who is the client, seeking to represent his own client in providing legal services and support. The initial briefing will include documents relating to the offending, or conviction (where the forensic services relate to a professional opinion and report regarding sentencing). These documents typically include, fact sheets, charge sheets, transcripts or copies of any statement provided to the police, or transcripts of court proceedings (including Magistrate or Judge summing up and determination).

These documents and the briefing are an important part of the forensic advise and report which is the outcome most sought by legal counsel. They may relate to any part of the trial process, sentencing and treatment options and likelihood of re-offending.

A forensic assessment and report is based on the quality of the information drawn from multiple sources, including family, reports and files relating to any time served in detention (as adult or juvenile), criminal records, employment records, psychological testing (where appropriate) and information from referees. This information is then combined with the relevant research to render an opinion that is useful and well supported. Psychological evaluations are only a part of the forensic evaluations, which may also include an assessment with legal counsel as to possible outcomes.

Reports may also be prepared in relation to the existence and relevance of any mitigating factors, post conviction that may have influenced the defendant’s actions during the course of the offence; these factors may assist in a range of sentencing outcomes and provision of training and interventions if held in custody.

The services which may be provided are:

1. Criminal forensic
   • adult and juvenile homicide,
   • competency issues,
   • sentencing evaluations,
   • violence risk/re-offending,
   • malingering,
   • developmental evaluations,
   • specific defence options, and
   • availability of psychological support for legal counsel.
     
     
2. Civil forensic –
   • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder,
   • Sexual harassment, hostile workplace issues,
   • Impact from trauma,
   • Personal injury,
   • Psychological autopsies,
   • Consequences from single event trauma,
     
     
3. Family forensic –
   • Domestic violence,
   • Child and adolescent psychological evaluations,
   • Psychological assessments of family members,
   • Dependency evaluations.
     
     
4. Consultation Services –
   • Trial and expert witness preparation,
   • Review psychological evaluations, reports and case consultation.
     
     
5. Clinical Services (Family, adults and children) –
   • Relationship problems,
   • Mental health concerns,
   • Substance and Alcohol problems,
   • Stress related issues,
   • Anxiety and related concerns,
   • Depression,
   • Fitness for Duty evaluations,
   • Trauma related problems,
   • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder,
   • Work related stress/performance discipline issues,
   • Policing related issues and concerns.