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Anderson v. Sec’y
The appeals court upheld a death sentence. It found the defense conducted a reasonable investigation, and new claims of abuse and mental health issues likely would not have changed the sentence.
Montez v. Czerniak
The Oregon Supreme Court denied a death row inmate's appeal, ruling his lawyer reasonably presented evidence of PTSD. Claims that more trauma evidence should have been presented were rejected.
Davidson v. State
The Tennessee Supreme Court overturned a death sentence. The court found the defense lawyer failed to present evidence of the defendant's brain damage and mental illness.
United States v. Fields
The court ruled that a lawyer's failure to present mental illness evidence did not harm the defendant. Such evidence, while potentially mitigating, could also suggest future dangerousness.
Jordan v. Epps
The 5th Circuit denied a new trial. It found defense counsel's errors did not matter, as strong evidence supported the death penalty despite the defendant's PTSD claims.
Solitary Confinement and Risk of Self-Harm Among Jail Inmates
Inmates with serious mental illness, those aged 18 and younger, and individuals in solitary confinement face significantly higher risks of self-harm in correctional settings.
Corrothers v. State
The Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed capital-murder convictions. Expert testimony on eyewitness identification was excluded because the expert's methods used inaccurate and incomplete facts.
Brief of the American Psychological Association & the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior as Amici Curiae in Support of Defendants-Appellants
The brief argues that eyewitness testimony often leads to misidentification and wrongful convictions. It advocates for updating jury instructions with modern psychological research to ensure fair trials.
Commonwealth v. Crayton
A court ruled that first-time in-court eyewitness identifications are usually not allowed without good reason, as they are too suggestive. A new trial was ordered to prevent unfairness.
Com. v. Walker
The PA Supreme Court ruled that expert testimony on eyewitness identification is now admissible. Trial courts can allow experts to testify on scientific factors impacting memory and eyewitness reliability.
Lebron v. Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families
The court blocked Florida's law requiring suspicionless drug tests for welfare applicants. It found no special need to justify invading privacy without cause.
De'lonta v. Johnson
The court found a transgender inmate could sue prison officials for denying gender-affirming surgery evaluation. Officials ignored medical standards despite a serious self-harm risk.
Adolescent Brain Development in Normality and Psychopathology
Adolescence is a time of increased risk-taking behaviors, leading to preventable deaths and mental health issues for some. However, it is also a period of profound opportunity and positive social development for many.
Digital Peer Interactions Affect Risk Taking in Young Adults
Young adults engage in high rates of risk-taking due to brain development and peer influence. Their socio-emotional and reward networks are highly active, while cognitive control networks are still maturing.
Maturation of the Adolescent Brain
The adolescent brain undergoes significant development, with ongoing changes in its structure and function. This brain maturation, influenced by hormones and environment, impacts self-control, decision-making, and risk-taking behaviors.