Developmental psychologists working in the legal arena deal with many issues of the juvenile system and also work with the effects of divorce and separation on the children involved. They may also be highly involved in child custody cases and may be employed as expert witnesses in such cases.
Developmental psychologists are usually employed by colleges and universities and conduct research. They may study the competence of children and even the elderly. They often testify as to whether or not children can make decisions on things such as medical treatment, abortion, attending school, or which parent they would rather live with. They look at how much juveniles understand legal proceedings. They study and may even testify as to how sentencing of a juvenile will affect him/her and what the best options are. In reference to the elderly, developmental psychologists look at whether or not the elderly can handle their own financial and personal affairs and when to appoint a guardian. They may also study child maltreatment cases and how being abused as a child affects functioning as an adult. Sometimes, developmental psychologists also study children as witnesses and victims of crime and investigate how valid their testimony can be.
If you are interested in learning more about developmental psychology in the legal system, Mary A. Connell is a forensic psychologist who specializes in child custody cases. Also, the Psychology Department at the University of Miami has conducted a series of studies on childrens' development, family, and health as well as how these factors contribute to committing crimes.
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