Mental Disability, Criminal Responsibility, and Civil Commitment

This chapter interweaves a history and analysis of these issues in the formative years of the American Psychology–Law Society with the author’s involvement in writing about it and in taking part in public debates and the creation of legislation. The author opens with autobiographical sketch that explains the development of his interest in law and psychology, criminal responsibility, and civil commitment. Later, he shares his perspective after years of involvement in these areas of study. The theoretical and practical problems and the author’s attempts to remedy them are then canvassed. The chapter concludes with an assessment of the present state of these issues.