Best Practices in Navigating the Criminal Legal System with Clients with Mental Health Challenges: Clinical Perspective | Part I

Best Practices in Navigating the Criminal Legal System with Clients with Mental Health Challenges: Clinical Perspective | Part I

Clients with Psychiatric Diagnoses

This session will examine 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.

Presenter:

Virginia Barber-Rioja, Ph.D, President-Elect of the American Psychology Law Society

Center for Justice Innovation

New York, New York

Moderators:

Katherine LeGeros Bajuk, Esq. 

New York County Defender Services

New York, New York 

Jeffery Berman, Esq. 

Legal Aid Society

New York, New York 

*There will be a 10 minute break during the program*

This program is sponsored by the Committee on Mandated Representation and co-sponsored by the Criminal Justice Section, the Committee on Continuing Legal Education and the New York Women Bar Association