I cannot imagine a more dangerous branch than an unrestrained judiciary full of amateur psychiatrists poised to "do good" rather than to apply the law. - Judge Morris Hoffman Some critics of therapeutic jurisprudence argue that when judges adopt a therapeutic role they act beyond both their expertise and beyond their proper functions as judges. … Continue reading Amateur Therapists or Amateur Justice? Why we can’t let fear of progress slow therapeutic jurisprudence reform
Key elements of a re-entry court for people transitioning from prison to community
Guest bloggers Judge William Knight, Caroline Cooper and David Wexler describe the Louisiana Reentry Court and identify features that may be exportable into other jurisdictions... Under the leadership of Judge William Knight, Louisiana’s 22nd Judicial District (St. Tammany and Washington Parishes) launched a Reentry Court for “high risk/high needs” offenders with multiple prior felony convictions … Continue reading Key elements of a re-entry court for people transitioning from prison to community
A judicial officer assists offenders to set rehabilitation goals & strategies (TJ Court Craft Series #8)
The TJ Court Craft Series provides practical insights and tools for judges interested in therapeutic jurisprudence, problem solving or solution-focused approaches. Read other blog posts in the Court Craft Series here. In this post Michael King, a judicial officer in Victoria Australia and author of the Solution-Focused Bench Book, shares a tool he uses in court … Continue reading A judicial officer assists offenders to set rehabilitation goals & strategies (TJ Court Craft Series #8)
The Jury finds itself ‘Not Guilty’…
Guest blogger Yael Boneh explores how Therapeutic Jurisprudence thinking can improve the experience of jurors... Therapeutic jurisprudence (TJ) proposes that the legal system, judges, court officers, and lawyers constitute social forces that can exacerbate or alleviate potential harms on those coming in contact with the legal system including jurors. Jury trials are based on democratic principles. However, … Continue reading The Jury finds itself ‘Not Guilty’…
An experienced lawyer talks about how therapeutic jurisprudence improves justice…
Before becoming a professor, Michael Perlin was the Deputy Public Defender in charge of the Mercer County Trial Region in New Jersey, and, for eight years, was the director of the Division of Mental Health Advocacy in the NJ Department of the Public Advocate. Michael has represented thousands of persons with mental disabilities in individual … Continue reading An experienced lawyer talks about how therapeutic jurisprudence improves justice…
