3 Hours / 3 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Case Law - Criminal Responsibility is presented by Robert Cochrane, PsyD, ABPP, in partnership with The American Academy of Forensic Psychology.


This program covers case law pertaining to criminal responsibility matters. Participants are provided with case background, the legal issue, the court’s ruling, and the mental health implications for 13 landmark cases. This program is useful for practicing clinicians and those preparing for board certification.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe three bases for cases being heard by the Supreme Court and two judicial philosophies.
  • 2 Describe rulings in six criminal responsibility cases
  • 3 Describe three criminal responsibility standards (cognitive, ALI, “product” test)

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health professionals who are involved in or preparing to work with criminal responsibility cases, particularly those specializing in forensic psychology, psychiatry, or clinical psychology. It is designed for individuals who require a strong understanding of legal standards, the evaluation of criminal responsibility, and the application of mental health expertise within legal contexts. The training is also relevant for those preparing for board certification in forensic mental health or seeking to deepen their knowledge of the intersection between mental health and the justice system.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Forensic Psychologists
    • Forensic Psychiatrists
    • Clinical Psychologists with forensic interests
    • Professionals preparing for board certification in forensic mental health

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to forensic mental health or criminal responsibility case law and seek foundational knowledge of key legal concepts, case backgrounds, and mental health implications.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience with forensic mental health or legal standards and aim to deepen their understanding of Supreme Court case rulings, judicial philosophies, and the application of criminal responsibility standards.

    • Advanced: Participants are experienced clinicians or educators with substantial knowledge of forensic mental health law, seeking to refine their expertise in complex case analysis and the nuanced implications of landmark rulings.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals practice at the intersection of mental health and the justice system, working within secure clinical, correctional, and court-affiliated environments as well as medico-legal consultation settings. Their duties center on criminal responsibility evaluations, report writing, and testimony guided by legal standards and landmark case law.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Forensic hospitals and state psychiatric facilities
    • Jails, prisons, and correctional health services
    • Court clinics and diversion/restoration programs
    • Private or group practices providing forensic evaluations
    • Academic medical centers and university-affiliated forensic programs
    • Community mental health centers with court liaison services
    • Government agencies for consultation (e.g., public defender, prosecutor, probation/parole)
Presented By

Robert Cochrane, Psy.D., ABPP

Dr. Cochrane is the Statewide Director of Forensic Services for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, where he oversees the planning and implementation of forensic services in North Carolina. He previously served as the training director for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, leading the internship programs and developing Continuing Education curriculum. Dr. Cochrane also worked for 21 years for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where he was the internship training director and forensic evaluator at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina. He is board certified in Forensic Psychology and has been actively involved in administrating, teaching, and supervising students and young professionals throughout his career. He is the past President of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology, and for several years served as a board member and examination faculty for the American Board of Forensic Psychology.
We are proud to partner with

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

We are proud to partner with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) for this training. AAFP is a non-profit organization of board-certified forensic psychologists whose mission is to contribute to the development and maintenance of forensic psychology as a specialized field of study, research, and practice. The Academy does this by providing high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards upon outstanding students and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.