Best Practices in Navigating the Criminal Legal System with Clients with Mental

This session examines the psychiatric diagnoses most frequently encountered in the legal system and explore best practices for effectively communicating with justice-involved individuals with mental illness.

By the end of this CLE, attendees will be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental disorders; communicate more effectively and empathetically using non-stigmatizing, trauma-informed approaches; and distinguish between serious mental illness and personality disorders.

Dr. Rioja-Barber’s presentation will also provide a foundation for Part 2, Legal Practice: Trauma-Informed Advocacy for Treatment Court Dispositions, to be held in Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 1:00–2:30 p.m.

Speakers:

Virginia Barber-Rioja, Ph.D, President-Elect of the American Psychology Law Society | Center for Justice Innovation | New York, New York

Katherine LeGeros Bajuk, Esq. | New York County Defender Services | New York, New York 

Jeffery Berman, Esq. | Legal Aid Society | New York, New York