Landmark Cases in Forensic Psychiatry
The American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL) publishes a list of Landmark Cases in Forensic Psychiatry.
This quick-reference guide is based on the most recent edition of the AAPL list. For each case, a brief summary of high-yield points is presented alongside a link to the full text of the case. Summaries are not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to facilitate memorization & rapid review for exam purposes.
Choose a category below, or scroll to the bottom to select a specific case. Cases are categorized by topic, and listed in chronological order.
Note: Learn Forensic Psychiatry is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, AAPL.
ADA, Workplace Harassment, Emotional Harm &
Expert Witness Testimony
Child Cases
Civil Rights of Psychiatric Patients
Criminal Process
Physician Patient Relationship
Quick Links
ADA, Workplace Harassment, Emotional Harm & Expert Witness Testimony
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Emotional Harm
Expert Witness Testimony
Sexual Harassment
Child Cases
Child Abuse Reporting
Custody
Education Related Services
Juvenile Court
Juvenile Sentencing
Civil Rights of Psychiatric Patients
Civil Commitment
Right to Die
Right to Refuse Treatment
Right to Treatment
Criminal Process
Competency to Stand Trial
Criminal Responsibility
Death Penalty
Defendant’s Rights
Drugs & Alcohol
Hypnosis
Prisoner’s Rights
Physician Patient Relationship
Privacy, Confidentiality, & Privilege
Duty to Protect
Informed Consent
Liability to Patients