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 intended for professionals who have experience with comprehensive psychological and forensic evaluations and are seeking to deepen their expertise in adolescent forensic assessment.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Psychologists (PhD, PsyD)
    • Forensic evaluators
    • Mental health professionals
    • Psychiatrists
    • Social workers specializing in forensic assessment
    • Licensed professional counselors involved in forensic cases

  • Experience Level

    This intermediate-level CE training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with varying experience in forensic evaluation of adolescents in the juvenile justice system.


    • Beginner: Participants may have limited experience with forensic or psychological evaluations in juvenile justice settings and are seeking foundational knowledge of case law, assessment measures, and the waiver evaluation process.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience conducting psychological or forensic assessments with adolescents, are familiar with basic legal standards, and are looking to deepen their understanding of case law (e.g., Kent v. United States), assessment tools, and best practices for waiver evaluations.

    • Advanced: Participants have extensive experience in forensic evaluation of adolescents, regularly conduct waiver evaluations, and seek to refine their expertise in complex case law application, advanced assessment techniques, and expert testimony.

  • Practice Setting

    These evaluators work in juvenile justice-focused forensic environments—such as secure facilities, courts, and specialized clinics—conducting transfer/waiver evaluations and comprehensive assessments of adolescents.

    The setting is multidisciplinary and legally driven, emphasizing case law application, standardized testing, objective reporting, and expert testimony while attending to due process and equity concerns.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Juvenile detention centers and youth correctional facilities
    • Family and juvenile courts and court-affiliated evaluation clinics
    • Hospital-based forensic psychiatry/psychology units
    • Community mental health agencies with juvenile justice programs
    • Probation departments’ evaluation services
    • Residential treatment centers for court-involved youth
    • Private forensic practices contracted by courts, defense, or prosecution
    • University-affiliated forensic assessment clinics

Training Instructors:

Christin Smith, PsyD

Christin Smith, PsyD

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).

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Uche F. Chibueze, Psy.D., ABPP

Uche F. Chibueze, Psy.D., ABPP

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.

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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).


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.