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Psychosocial Family-Level Mediators in the Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This article explores how trauma's psychological effects pass through generations, even without direct exposure. It highlights the role of family factors like parenting and mental health in this process.
People v. Banner
A California court ruled judges don't have to consider mental health diversion. It sent the case back for resentencing, favoring lower terms for trauma-related crimes.
The Role of Incarceration as a Risk Factor for Cognitive Impairment
This study links incarceration to cognitive impairment, especially in middle-aged individuals. It highlights racial disparities, showing formerly incarcerated people face a higher risk of cognitive decline and related societal costs.
The power of negative and positive episodic memories
Emotional experiences are more likely to be remembered and recalled than neutral ones. These powerful emotional memories influence present decisions and future predictions.
Trauma-Affected Refugees and Their Non-Exposed Children: A Review of Risk and Protective Factors for Trauma Transmission
Refugee children of trauma-affected parents face increased risks for mental health issues. This review identifies risk and protective factors, including interpersonal and contextual influences, to better understand these outcomes.
Biological Psychiatry in Displaced Populations: What We Know, and What We Need to Begin to Learn
One percent of the world's population is forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, or disasters. These individuals face severe trauma and chronic stress, leading to high rates of mental health conditions.
State v. Sorbonne
The Court ruled that self-defense claims must consider all relevant circumstances, including past abuse, to assess the reasonableness of force used.
Brief of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Law, Brain & Behavior as Amicus Curiae Supporting Respondent
The brief supports a court order for a death row inmate to receive brain imaging. It argues the All Writs Act permits this testing and that such medical access is not "discovery." The imaging is deemed relevant to the inmate's legal claims.
Brief of Center for Law, Brain & Behavior and Neuroscientists as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff-Appellant Jwainus Perry
The brief argues that harmful environments, like solitary confinement, cause physical brain changes. These changes are physical injuries, not merely psychological, and legal policies should reflect current scientific understanding.
Brief of Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs, ACLU of Maryland, Public Justice Center, National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and MD Criminal Defense Attorneys’ Association as Amici Curiae in Support of Appellant
This brief argues that fear of police, not criminal guilt, often explains why Black men flee from law enforcement. It asks the court to reverse a ruling and clarify that flight alone does not justify a stop and search.
Juvenile Confinement Exacerbates Adversity Burden: A Neurobiological Impetus for Decarceration
Current juvenile justice practices can cause further harm to youth already exposed to hardship. Confinement can negatively impact brain development and quality of life for young people.
PTSD and Trauma as Mitigating Factors in Sentencing in Capital Cases
PTSD can be used in criminal defense as a mitigating factor, especially during sentencing. Courts are often skeptical of PTSD claims, but defense teams should investigate severe trauma in clients facing the death penalty.
Improved Emotion Regulation Following a Trauma-Informed Cbt-Based Intervention Associates With Reduced Risk for Recidivism in Justice-Involved Emerging Adults
Justice-involved male youth experience high rates of trauma and mental illness, which often go untreated. Addressing these underlying mental health issues, particularly emotion regulation, could reduce re-incarceration risks.
Amici Curiae Brief of the Innocence Project, Inc. and Washington Innocence Project
Mistaken eyewitness identification is a leading cause of wrongful convictions. This brief argues that courts should update their rules for admitting eyewitness testimony to reflect modern scientific understanding of memory and perception.
Working Memory Is Complex and Dynamic, Like Your Thoughts
Working memory involves both persistent neural activity and "activity-silent" periods. During silent times, memories are held by short-term changes in brain connections, like an impression left by neural firing.