The U.S. jury system assumes neutral decision-making, but psychology shows jurors are influenced by cognitive shortcuts and implicit bias. In Georgia, cases like Foster v. Chatman expose how racial exclusion and jury selection practices can distort justice despite Batson protections. This post explores how bias shapes juror judgment, why safeguards often fail, and what reforms could improve fairness and legitimacy in court outcomes.

Candidates carry authority before they ever carry a badge. In Georgia, psychological screening is a required step in law enforcement hiring designed to evaluate whether applicants are fit for the stress, discretion, and responsibility of policing. The process is grounded in POST regulations and supported by decades of police psychology research emphasizing risk reduction, emotional stability, and sound judgment under pressure. While often misunderstood as a mental health “tes

Georgia’s mental health restoration system is under severe strain, leaving hundreds of people found incompetent to stand trial stuck in jail for months or even years while waiting for treatment beds. This blog examines the growing backlog, its impact on courts and jails, and the state’s ongoing efforts—new hospitals, step-down units, and policy reforms—to ease a system overwhelmed by rising demand.

Mitigation evaluations in Georgia courtrooms provide judges with a fuller understanding of a defendant’s background during sentencing. Conducted by forensic psychologists, these assessments examine mental health, trauma, and social history to contextualize criminal behavior. While they don’t challenge guilt, they can shape more individualized sentencing decisions and raise key questions about fairness and justice.

A clear, practice-focused overview of the difference between competency to stand trial and the insanity defense in Georgia criminal law. The post explains how CST addresses a defendant’s present ability to participate in court proceedings, while insanity focuses on mental state at the time of the offense. It also outlines key Georgia statutes, case law, and the essential role of forensic psychologists in these evaluations.

“Psychosis” is a term often heard but widely misunderstood, frequently associated with inaccurate and harmful stereotypes. To cut through the confusion, we’ve distilled the core insights of clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Douglas E. Lewis, Jr., from his interview with Harsh Patel titled “Mental Health Support in Jail: Competency Restoration Explained.” This blog provides a clear, simple explanation of what psychosis is, what its symptoms are, and addresses one of the

In courtrooms across America, forensic psychologists hold immense power over people’s lives. Their assessments can determine whether a defendant stands trial, receives treatment, or risks returning to prison. One misjudgment can ripple through a life forever. But in a nation where immigrants, people of color, and other marginalized groups are disproportionately swept into the justice system, cultural blind spots can make even the most careful evaluations dangerously incomplet

For decades, Americans have been fascinated by forensic psychology, from gripping episodes of Law & Order to addictive true-crime podcasts. Yet the reality is far more consequential and nuanced than television portrays. Today, amid heated public debates over fairness in the U.S. justice system, forensic psychology stands at the intersection of science, law, and societal trust. These experts do far more than explain criminal motives on the witness stand; they guide judges in

In the high-stakes world where mental health meets the gavel, two key players often step into the spotlight: the forensic psychologist and the forensic psychiatrist. These professionals bridge the gap between psychology, medicine, and the law, providing critical insights that can sway court decisions, shape treatment plans, and even determine someone's fate. But while their work overlaps significantly (especially in court evaluations), there's a stark pay disparity that highl