Trauma and the Legal System

Trauma is prevalent within the legal system, but its effects are often overlooked. Research shows that trauma can alter brain structure and function in ways that affect judgment, emotion regulation, impulse control, and memory, while some legal practices may themselves cause lasting psychological and neurological harm. The Trauma and the Legal System module translates advances in neuroscience into practical guidance so judges, attorneys, and legal professionals can make more effective, trauma-informed decisions.