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Protecting Adolescence: What Mental Health Professionals Need to Know About Adolescent Interrogations and False Confessions

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Presented by Hayley Cleary, MPP, PhD

Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Public Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University

Date:

Location: Virtually on Zoom

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False confessions are an empirically established problem and undeniable failure of the American criminal legal system, especially when they lead to wrongful conviction and incarceration. Young people are especially vulnerable to suggestion and coercion during police interrogations compared to adults, and they are overrepresented in documented cases of false confessions. This presentation explicates the causes, correlates, and consequences of false confessions among adolescent suspects. It explains the mechanisms through which youths’ ongoing development—neurological, psychosocial, and experiential—creates vulnerabilities in the interrogation room and beyond. This presentation highlights the important role of the mental health professional as clinical evaluators, researchers, and potentially expert witnesses who can assist legal factfinders in applying scientific principles in the courtroom. 

Target Audience

Physicians (psychiatrists, pediatricians, child neurologists), psychologists, social workers, other mental health clinicians and researchers, and students and trainees.   

UPON COMPLETION OF THIS ACTIVITY, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
  1. List at least 1 cause of false confessions among adolescent suspects
  2. Identify the role of child and adolescent mental health professional in the courtroom

Continuing Education (CE/CEU) Information


PHYSICIANS

The Harvard Medical School is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The institution designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

PSYCHOLOGISTS

The Children's Hospital Boston Psychology Division is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. This institution maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 

SOCIAL WORKERS

The National Association of Social Workers has approved this series for continuing education credits for social workers.