The Legal Spotlight: Gunman Found Guilty After Failed Insanity Plea In a recent Colorado case, a mass shooter attempted an insanity defense, but jurors rejected it and convicted him. The verdict underscores a long-standing reality: despite media portrayals, insanity pleas are infrequent and rarely successful. Research shows that the defense is raised in fewer than 1% of felony cases, and of those, only about 0.25% lead to acquittals. Even then, defendants almost never go free

The Legal Spotlight: Disability Rights North Carolina vs. North Carolina DHHS In April 2024, Disability Rights North Carolina and the ACLU-NC sued the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, alleging the state delays mental health evaluations and treatment for those unable to assist in their defense. Plaintiffs say such delays, averaging 68 days for evaluations  and over five months for treatment , are unacceptable. This case is an example of the U.S. competen

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