Trusted Assessments for Criminal, Civil, and Family Law Cases
Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts, LLC is a forensic mental health consultancy serving Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast with court-recognized psychological evaluations for legal proceedings. Founded by Dr. Cathy Colet, a Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, our practice has conducted thousands of forensic assessments. We provide evaluations for criminal defense, prosecution, civil litigation, family law disputes, and juvenile cases across Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit and beyond. Our team of three doctoral-level psychologists brings combined expertise in forensic psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and military behavioral health, giving attorneys and courts access to thorough, objective assessments that meet Daubert standards for scientific evidence.
Criminal Law Cases
- Competence to Stand Trial
- Criminal Responsibility (insanity defense)
- Competency to Waive Miranda Rights
- Mitigation (downward departure)
- Violence Risk Assessments
- Psychosexual Evaluations / Sexual Risk Assessments
- Sexually Violent Predators
- Capital Sentencing
- Involuntary Commitment and Treatment
- Expert Witness Testimony
- Consultation
Juvenile Law Cases
- Competence to Stand Trial
- Assessment of Violence and Sexual Risk
- Sexual Behavior Assessment
- Expert Witness Testimony
- Consultation
What Is a Forensic Evaluation?
A forensic evaluation is a specialized psychological assessment conducted to answer specific legal questions in criminal, civil, or family court proceedings. Unlike clinical evaluations designed for treatment planning, forensic evaluations at Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts focus entirely on providing objective, evidence-based findings that help judges, attorneys, and juries make informed decisions. Each evaluation follows structured protocols recognized by the American Psychological Association and Florida’s Board of Psychology.
Forensic evaluations differ from standard therapy or clinical testing in several important ways. The psychologist does not serve as the individual’s therapist. Confidentiality protections are limited because results are shared with the court. The evaluator remains impartial regardless of which party requested the assessment. These boundaries ensure that courts receive unbiased psychological opinions focused strictly on the legal questions at hand.
A forensic psychologist uses clinical interviews, validated psychological testing instruments, collateral record reviews, and third-party interviews to form their professional opinion. The resulting report translates complex psychological findings into language that legal professionals can understand and apply. When needed, the evaluating psychologist provides expert witness testimony to explain their conclusions under cross-examination.
Civil Law Cases
- Personal / Emotional Injury
- Psychological Factors in Physical Trauma
- Independent Medical Examinations (IME)
- Immigration
- Guardianship
- Civil Commitment
- Pre/Post Adoption Evaluation
- Mental Competency Examinations
- Psychological Autopsy – Assessment of Suicide
- Expert Witness Testimony
- Consultation
Family Law Cases
- Parental Capacity Assessments
- Social Investigations
- Psychological Evaluations
- Expert Witness Testimony
- Consultation
How Forensic Evaluation in Port St. Lucie, FL Strengthen Legal Cases
Forensic evaluations give attorneys and courts access to psychological evidence that directly affects case outcomes, from sentencing decisions in criminal cases to custody arrangements in family law. Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts tailor every assessment to the specific legal questions at stake, ensuring the findings carry weight in Florida courtrooms.
- Clearer judicial decisions. Judges and juries often face questions about mental state, competency, or psychological harm that require expert analysis. A well-conducted forensic evaluation provides objective data, not speculation, that the trier of fact can use to reach a fair outcome. Whether the question involves criminal responsibility, parenting fitness, or the extent of emotional injury, the evaluation brings clarity to complex psychological issues.
- Identifying conditions that affect legal proceedings. Many individuals involved in legal cases have underlying psychological conditions, anxiety disorders, PTSD, cognitive impairments, personality disorders, or substance use issues that directly influence their behavior and decision-making. Forensic evaluations identify these conditions and explain how they relate to the legal questions being asked.
- Protecting children and vulnerable individuals. In family law and juvenile proceedings, forensic evaluations prioritize the safety and well-being of children. Parental capacity assessments and custody evaluations provide evidence-based recommendations about living arrangements, risk factors, and the psychological needs of minors involved in legal disputes.
- Supporting fair compensation in civil cases. Personal injury and emotional distress claims require documentation of psychological harm. Forensic evaluations assess the nature and severity of conditions like depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and PTSD following accidents, workplace injuries, or negligent acts, providing courts with the evidence needed to determine appropriate compensation.
Types of Forensic Evaluations We Provide
Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts provides forensic psychological evaluations across four areas of law: criminal, civil, family, and juvenile. Each evaluation type addresses specific legal questions using validated assessment methods and follows the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association.
Criminal Law Evaluations
Criminal forensic evaluations assess an individual’s psychological functioning in relation to criminal charges and legal proceedings. Our psychologists conduct competency to stand trial evaluations, criminal responsibility (insanity defense) assessments, and competency to waive Miranda rights evaluations. We also perform mitigation evaluations for downward departure sentencing, violence risk assessments, psychosexual evaluations, sexually violent predator assessments, and capital sentencing evaluations. Each criminal evaluation examines the specific mental health factors relevant to the legal question, whether that involves understanding court proceedings, appreciating the nature of charges, or assessing future risk.
Dr. Cathy Colet has extensive training in criminal forensic psychology, including competency and criminal responsibility assessments, and has provided expert witness testimony for both prosecution and defense teams.
Civil Law Evaluations
Civil forensic evaluations address psychological questions in non-criminal legal matters. We conduct personal and emotional injury evaluations, independent medical examinations (IME), immigration psychological evaluations, guardianship assessments, civil commitment evaluations, mental competency examinations, and psychological autopsies for suicide assessment. Dr. Lauren Miller, with nearly 20 years of experience in clinical and forensic neuropsychology, leads complex civil evaluations involving cognitive impairment, traumatic brain injury, and disability claims.
Family Law Evaluations
Family court evaluations prioritize the best interests of children while providing objective findings to the court. We perform parental capacity assessments, custody evaluations, social investigations, and psychological evaluations for family law proceedings. The evaluating psychologist is ethically required to represent the children’s best interests regardless of which party requested the evaluation. Our assessments examine parenting skills, emotional stability, risk factors for abuse, and the psychological needs of each child involved.
Juvenile Law Evaluations
Juvenile forensic evaluations require specialized knowledge of adolescent development and the juvenile justice system. We assess competence to stand trial for minors, evaluate violence and sexual risk factors, and conduct sexual behavior assessments. Our psychologists have experience working with the Department of Juvenile Justice, ChildNet, Communities Connected for Kids, and Florida courts on juvenile cases.
What to Expect During the Forensic Evaluation Process
The forensic evaluation process at Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts follows a structured, multi-step approach designed to produce thorough and defensible findings. From initial consultation through report delivery, each step is tailored to the specific legal questions in your case.
Step 1 — Case Consultation. The process begins when an attorney, court, or agency contacts our office with a referral. We review the legal questions at issue, discuss the scope of evaluation needed, clarify timelines, and outline the fee structure. This initial conversation ensures both parties understand exactly what the evaluation will address.
Step 2 — Clinical Interview. Our psychologist conducts a structured diagnostic interview with the individual being evaluated. This includes a mental status examination, developmental history, psychiatric treatment history, educational background, and targeted questioning based on the referral questions. Clinical interviews typically span several hours and may require more than one session depending on evaluation complexity.
Step 3 — Psychological Testing. The evaluator selects validated testing instruments based on the specific legal questions. Competency evaluations use instruments measuring legal understanding and decision-making ability. Risk assessments use actuarial tools validated for predicting violence or sexual recidivism. Custody evaluations may include personality inventories, parenting assessments, and child interviews. Dr. Matthew J. Jalazo, Psy.D., with over two decades of forensic psychology experience, including neuropsychological assessments for traumatic brain injury, administers cognitive testing batteries when brain function questions arise.
Step 4 — Collateral Information Review. We examine police reports, medical records, school documents, prior evaluations, and other relevant records. When appropriate, we interview family members, treatment providers, or other parties who can provide useful context. This multi-source approach ensures our conclusions rest on converging evidence rather than a single data point.
Step 5 — Report Preparation. Our psychologist synthesizes all findings into a detailed report that addresses each referral question. We explain psychological concepts in clear language while maintaining scientific rigor. Reports include our methodology, test results, clinical observations, and professional opinions with appropriate certainty levels. Reports are typically completed within a timeframe, e.g., 14-30 days, of the final evaluation session, depending on case complexity.
Step 6 — Expert Witness Testimony. When called upon, our psychologists present their findings through deposition or trial testimony. We explain complex psychological concepts in terms that judges and juries can follow, and our conclusions are prepared to withstand cross-examination.
Why Attorneys and Courts Choose Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts
Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts dedicates approximately 75 percent of its practice to forensic assessments, ensuring the specialized focus that courts require. Our three doctoral-level psychologists bring distinct areas of expertise that allow us to match the right evaluator to each case.
Dr. Cathy Colet — Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and founder of the practice. Dr. Colet specializes in criminal, civil, family, and immigration law evaluations. She holds Florida licensure PY9058 and has firsthand experience in Level 1 Trauma Centers, working with trauma patients and their families. She has provided expert testimony for both prosecution and defense and serves on evaluations for entities including ChildNet and Communities Connected for Kids.
Dr. Lauren Miller — Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist with nearly 20 years of experience. Dr. Miller provides neuropsychological, psychoeducational, and forensic evaluations and has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University. She brings litigation consulting expertise, including analysis of opposing experts’ work and development of deposition questions for attorneys.
Dr. Matthew J. Jalazo, Psy.D. — Licensed Psychologist with over two decades of forensic psychology experience. Dr. Jalazo’s career includes serving as Chief of Adult Behavioral Health at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, operational psychology roles in combat zones with the U.S. Army, and forensic evaluations in maximum-security forensic hospitals. His military background brings specialized insight to veteran-related cases, fitness-for-duty evaluations, and PTSD assessments.
Our team holds memberships in the American Psychological Association, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. We have presented expert witness testimony across Florida’s 1st, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 20th judicial circuits, demonstrating broad courtroom experience across multiple jurisdictions.
Every evaluation follows objective, evidence-based procedures. We use validated psychological instruments, adhere to APA ethical guidelines, and produce reports designed to meet Daubert standards for admissibility of scientific evidence.
Serving Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast
Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts serves attorneys, courts, and individuals throughout Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County, and the broader Treasure Coast region. Our offices in Jupiter and Fort Lauderdale are conveniently located for legal professionals and clients throughout South Florida.
We regularly work within Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. Our psychologists understand the local court system’s requirements and maintain professional relationships with judges, court administrators, and attorneys in the area. Whether your case involves the St. Lucie County Courthouse or another Florida jurisdiction, our experience spans multiple court systems across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a forensic evaluation and when is one needed?
A forensic evaluation is a psychological assessment conducted to answer a specific legal question in a court case. Courts, attorneys, or government agencies order them when a case involves issues like mental competency, criminal responsibility, custody fitness, psychological injury, or risk of future violence. Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts conducts these evaluations for criminal, civil, family, and juvenile law proceedings in Port St. Lucie and throughout Florida. If your legal matter involves a question about someone’s psychological functioning, a forensic evaluation may be necessary to provide the court with expert evidence.
How long does a forensic evaluation in Port St. Lucie, FL take?
The length of a forensic evaluation depends on the type and complexity of the case. A focused competency screening may take only a few hours in a single session. More comprehensive evaluations, such as custody assessments, criminal responsibility evaluations, or psychosexual evaluations, often require multiple sessions spread over several days or weeks. After all testing and interviews are complete, the written report is typically delivered within e.g., 14-30 days. We discuss specific timelines during the initial consultation so attorneys can plan around court deadlines.
How are forensic evaluation results used in court?
The forensic psychologist produces a written report that addresses the specific legal questions posed by the court or referring attorney. This report may be entered into evidence and reviewed by all parties in the case. The evaluating psychologist may also provide expert witness testimony, either through a deposition or live courtroom testimony, to explain their findings and answer questions from both sides. Judges and juries use this expert psychological evidence alongside other case facts to reach decisions about competency, sentencing, custody, compensation, or other legal outcomes.
Who can request or order a forensic evaluation?
Forensic evaluations can be ordered by judges, requested by defense attorneys or prosecutors, or initiated by government agencies such as the Department of Juvenile Justice or child welfare organizations. Individuals involved in legal proceedings can also ask their attorney to retain a forensic psychologist. At Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts, we accept referrals from all parties in a case and maintain objectivity regardless of who initiates the evaluation.
What is the difference between a forensic evaluation and a clinical evaluation?
A clinical evaluation is designed to diagnose mental health conditions and guide treatment planning. It takes place within a confidential therapeutic relationship. A forensic evaluation, by contrast, is conducted to answer a legal question, not to provide therapy. Confidentiality is limited because results are shared with the court. The evaluator serves as an impartial expert, not as the individual’s therapist. Forensic psychologists use specialized assessment tools and apply legal standards, such as competency criteria defined in Florida Statutes, that clinical evaluations do not address.
How should I prepare for a forensic evaluation?
Bring any legal documents related to your case, relevant medical or mental health records, a current medication list, and identification. Get a full night of rest before the evaluation session, since psychological testing requires sustained attention and concentration. Be honest and forthcoming during the interview, forensic psychologists use validity measures that can detect inconsistent or exaggerated responding. Your attorney can discuss the evaluation’s scope and purpose with you beforehand so you know what to expect.