Custody Evaluations, Juvenile and Family Law, and Mental Disabilities

This course will consider the full range of issues related to custody (including issues specifically related to children with special needs), adoption, marriage dissolution, foster care, domestic abuse and guardianships as they relate to persons with mental disabilities. Students will examine the special issues related to juvenile commitments to psychiatric institutions (and treatment of juveniles in such facilities); competency; as well as other issues related to the criminal trials of juveniles with mental disabilities. This course will furthermore focus on the role of problem-solving courts, and the application of international human rights principles to this area of the law.