4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Case Law Series: Criminal Responsibility is presented by Bob Stinson, PsyD, JD, ABPP, in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

This program reviews case law in the area of criminal responsibility and discusses its implications when it comes to completing criminal responsibility evaluations. All of the criminal responsibility landmark cases from the American Board of Forensic Psychology's (ABFP's) Suggested Reading List for Written and Oral Examinations are reviewed. 

In addition, this program reviews relevant case law that was not included in the suggested reading list. This program is useful for individuals who are developing their expertise in criminal responsibility, those who are considering board certification, and those who have advanced knowledge in criminal responsibility evaluations but want a refresher on landmark cases and recent rulings.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the relationship between ethical forensic practice and knowledge of relevant case law
  • 2 Describe 6 United States Supreme Court landmark cases in the area of criminal responsibility and state the holdings in each case
  • 3 Describe 6 lower federal court landmark cases in the area of criminal responsibility and state the holdings in each case
  • 4 Demonstrate the learned case law to the practice of completing criminal responsibility evaluations
Presented By

Bob Stinson, PsyD, JD, ABPP

Bob Stinson, Psy.D., J.D., LICDC-CS, ABPP, is a board-certified forensic psychologist, an attorney at law, and a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor – clinical supervisor. Dr. Stinson is listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) and a Diplomate in forensic psychology with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). He serves on the faculty of the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP). Dr. Stinson is a Past-President of the Central Ohio Psychological Association, the Ohio Psychological Association (OPA), and AAFP. He is a long-time member and past-Chair of the OPA Ethics Committee. Dr. Stinson has been an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology at Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology, an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology at The Ohio State University Department of Psychology, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and an Adjunct Professor of Law at The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. 


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  • Intended Audience

    This training program is designed for forensic psychologists and mental health professionals who are involved in or interested in criminal responsibility evaluations, with a focus on deepening knowledge of landmark legal cases, recent rulings, and developments in the field. It is particularly valuable for those specializing in forensic psychology, considering board certification, or seeking to enhance their expertise in criminal responsibility assessments.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Forensic Psychologists
    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychiatrists specializing in forensic evaluations
    • Clinical Psychologists conducting forensic assessments
    • Psycholegal Consultants
    • Board Certification Candidates in Forensic Psychology

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with criminal responsibility evaluations and related case law.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to criminal responsibility evaluations and seek foundational knowledge of relevant case law and ethical considerations in forensic practice.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience with criminal responsibility evaluations and are looking to deepen their understanding of landmark Supreme Court and lower federal court cases, as well as their application to forensic assessments.

    • Advanced: Participants have substantial experience in forensic mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations and wish to update or refresh their knowledge of landmark and recent case law, including implications for ethical forensic practice.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals practice at the intersection of mental health and law, conducting criminal responsibility evaluations within secure clinical and legal environments. Work involves structured assessments, comprehensive record review, collaboration with attorneys and courts, and testimony grounded in current case law.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Criminal and specialty courts (evaluations, testimony)
    • State forensic hospitals and secure psychiatric units
    • Jails and prisons
    • Private forensic practice/consulting firms
    • Academic medical centers and VA forensic services
    • Government forensic services and state mental health agencies
    • Community mental health clinics with forensic tracks
    • Teleforensic/remote evaluation services for HTML.
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 Statement

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.