4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Assessing Juveniles that are Considered for Transfer to Criminal Court is presented by Uche F. Chibueze, Psy.D., ABPP, and Christin Smith, Psy.D.

Currently, there are no guidelines that inform the practice of how evaluators should address the criteria or factors when evaluating adolescents who are being considered for the transfer from juvenile to criminal court. 

This intermediate program focuses on case law and precedent established by Kent vs. United States (1966) and other juvenile cases, as well as how they provide a guide in completing these evaluations. Research indicates that there is a lack of conformity and standardization regarding how evaluators should complete these assessments. However, some case laws and psychological research speak to the due process, emotional and behavioral functioning, brain development, and risk factors associated with adolescents. 

Other areas of concern discussed are the racial discrepancies and factors noted throughout this specific legal process. Evaluators are often asked to complete an evaluation that includes the seriousness of the crime(s), assessment of the adolescent’s legal knowledge, level of dangerousness and criminal sophistication, maturity, treatment amenability, and risk for re-offending. The various psychological measures that are beneficial in these evaluations are presented and reviewed. It has also been argued that some of the aforementioned areas of focus are outside of the evaluator’s scope of practice, which is an area of debate and discussion. Overall, what the assessment process entails, how to objectively assess and present the waiver evaluation to the court, and expert court testimony are major components of this program.

The assessment measures used are the WISC-V, WAIS-IV, WRAT-5, JACI, RSTI, SAVRY, PAI-A, MMPI-A-RF, JI-R, FAVT-A, TOMM, ILK. Other measures are presented and discussed. 

This program is intended for evaluators at the doctoral level who work in the forensic realm, especially those who work with adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system at any stage of their career. However, having some exposure to full psychological and forensic evaluations would be helpful.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe how to address the factors of Kent v. United States (1966) in waiver evaluations with adolescents being considered for transfer to the adult court
  • 2 Describe assessment measures that have been normed on adolescents involved in the legal system, and assist in the evaluation of dangerousness, sophistication, and maturity, as well as protective factors and treatment amenability
  • 3 Describe an overview of the juvenile justice system and how this information can be used to describe the adolescent's emotional, behavioral, and social functioning in the evaluation report
  • 4 Describe the different mechanisms of transfer and how those can impact the evaluation process, as well as racial and gender bias
  • 5 Describe whether the evaluator should provide an ultimate opinion during the evaluation process and/or during testimony

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for doctoral-level evaluators who work in forensic settings, with a particular focus on those assessing adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system. It is appropriate for professionals at any career stage who have some experience in comprehensive psychological and forensic evaluations and are seeking to deepen their expertise in adolescent forensic assessment.

    • Doctoral-level evaluator (PhD, PsyD, or equivalent)
    • Forensic evaluator
    • Mental Health Professional

  • Experience Level

    This intermediate-level continuing education program is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with foundational experience in psychological and forensic assessment, particularly those working with adolescents in the juvenile justice system.

    Beginner:
    Participants may have limited experience with forensic or juvenile justice evaluations and are seeking foundational knowledge of relevant case law, assessment measures, and the transfer process.

    Intermediate:
    Participants have some experience conducting psychological or forensic evaluations, are familiar with basic assessment tools, and seek to deepen their understanding of case law (e.g., Kent v. United States), best practices, and addressing complex factors such as racial and gender bias in waiver evaluations.

    Advanced:
    Participants have substantial experience in forensic assessment, regularly conduct juvenile transfer evaluations, and are interested in advanced discussion of nuanced legal, ethical, and procedural issues, as well as contributing expertise to group case discussions.

  • Practice Setting

    Evaluators participating in this training typically work in forensic environments where they conduct comprehensive psychological assessments of adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system. These settings often require collaboration with legal professionals, court personnel, and social service agencies. The work environment may include secure juvenile detention centers, court clinics, private forensic practices, or public mental health agencies. Evaluators frequently interact with youth facing potential transfer to adult criminal court, requiring specialized knowledge of legal standards, adolescent development, and culturally responsive assessment practices. The role involves preparing detailed reports, providing expert testimony, and navigating complex ethical and legal considerations.

    • Juvenile court clinics or forensic assessment units
    • Secure juvenile detention or correctional facilities
    • Private forensic psychology practices specializing in court-ordered evaluations
    • Public mental health agencies with forensic assessment services
    • State or county departments of juvenile justice
    • Academic medical centers or university-affiliated forensic programs
    • Community-based organizations providing court-related mental health services

Presented By

Christin Smith, Psy.D, Psy.DStaff Psychologist at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, Forensic Unit

Christin Smith, Psy.D. is a Staff Psychologist at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, Forensic Unit, in Houston, TX. Dr. Smith received her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA (2011). She then received her Master of Science and Doctor of Psychology degrees in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Forensics from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC (2016). She completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, TX. Dr. Smith is a licensed psychologist in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Dr. Smith has presented at mental health symposiums and conventions regarding the treatment and evaluation of adolescents with behavioral and mental health concerns, as well as areas specific to forensic assessment with adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system. She worked as a clinical psychologist for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice from 2017 to 2021, where her focus was on court ordered evaluations and for a private practice in Charlotte, NC, where her focus was on clinical, educational, and neuropsychological evaluations with children and adolescents.

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Christin Smith, Psy.D

Presented By

Uche F. Chibueze, Psy.D., ABPP, Licensed Psychologist at Harris County Juvenile Probation Department

Uche F. Chibueze, Psy.D., ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist who received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Texas School of Professional Psychology in 2009. She also has a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling from Baylor University. Dr. Chibueze completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship with the Harris County Juvenile Forensic Unit, where she then served as the Chief Psychologist and Assistant Training Director for eight years prior to becoming the Training Director in September 2021. Dr. Chibueze also conducts the forensic evaluations for the juvenile court that include Waiver to Adult Court, Fitness to Proceed, and Lack of Responsibility evaluations. In addition, she provides expert witness testimony on a continuous basis for the juvenile court. Dr. Chibueze has also provided several presentations at various conferences on the topic of juvenile forensic evaluations. Dr. Chibueze is currently assisting with policy reform for youth involved in the legal system with a mental illness and/or intellectual disability. She also played an integral role in the development of the outpatient fitness attainment program. Dr. Chibueze has conducted research that explored the impact of the acculturation process on African immigrant families. She also maintains a small private practice where she conducts immigration evaluations and forensic assessments with youth.

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Uche F. Chibueze, Psy.D., ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Understanding Juvenile Waiver and Legal Context

  • Legal Foundations and Evaluator Responsibilities

  • Assessment Framework and Measures

  • Applied Learning Through Casework and Group Practice

  • Courtroom Communication and Ethical Decision-Making

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).



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) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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), SW CPE 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 and 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #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. CONCEPT Professional Training 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.