Sanity Evaluations in Ohio: Assessing Wrongfulness

Presented by Kara Marciani, PsyD, ABPP, and Erin Nichting, PsyD

2 Hours | 2 CEs

This program discusses key topics, including a review of the sanity statute, legal and moral wrongfulness, voluntary intoxication, and a discussion of "irresistible impulse." Case presentations are discussed.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program you will be able to:

  • Describe and understand the Ohio statute pertaining to sanity evaluations

  • Describe the wrongfulness as it relates to sanity evaluations

Presented By

Forensic Psychiatry Center for Western Ohio Kara Marciani Psy.D., ABPP

Dr. Kara E.A. Marciani earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Xavier University in 2001. She then became licensed as a psychologist in the state of Ohio in 2003. In 2009, Dr. Marciani BECAME certified as a Diplomate (specialist) in Forensic Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology/American Board of Forensic Psychology. Dr. Marciani is the Director of Forensic Services at the Forensic Psychiatry Center for Western Ohio, a division of Eastway Behavioral Healthcare (Eastway), located in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Marciani also serves as the Forensic Monitor for the Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health boards for: Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin counties; Clark Greene, and Madison counties; Preble County; Putnam County; and Van Wert, Mercer, and Paulding counties. She also provides consultation services to the Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign County. In addition to her employment at Eastway, Dr. Marciani is the President and Chief Psychologist for Marciani Psychological Services, Inc. (MPS, Inc.). MPS, Inc. provides private professional psychological services to individuals, estates, firms and organizations on a contract basis.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist Erin Nichting, PsyD

Erin Nichting earned her doctorate degree from Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology in 2016. Since then, she has primarily completed work in forensic psychology, focusing on evaluation and assessment work for criminal courts, including sanity evaluations. She has also implemented outpatient competency restoration programs, supervised students interested in forensic psychology, and guest lectured on forensic topics. She is the current Forensic Director at the Forensic Evaluation Service Center in Butler County, Ohio which serves six counties. Additionally, she completes forensic evaluation work as an independent contractor for various agencies in Ohio, including other forensic centers. Dr. Nichting is also currently serving as the President of the Ohio Forensic Centers Consortium.

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PaloAlto 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 Boardfor 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 HealthPractitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental healthcounselors. #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 ProfessionalTraining, #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.