FC PsychExperts is a forensic and clinical psychology practice serving attorneys, courts, and individuals throughout Pompano Beach and Broward County. Founded by Dr. Cathy Colet, a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist, the practice conducts psychological evaluations designed specifically for legal proceedings in criminal, civil, family, immigration, and juvenile law.
What a Forensic Psychologist Does and Why Credentials Matter
A forensic psychologist is a licensed psychologist who conducts evaluations and provides expert testimony for legal proceedings. Unlike a clinical psychologist focused on treatment and patient advocacy, a forensic psychologist at FC PsychExperts serves the court by delivering objective findings about a person’s mental state, cognitive functioning, or behavioral risk. These assessments follow strict ethical standards and use validated instruments designed to meet the requirements for admissibility in Florida courtrooms.
The distinction matters more than most attorneys realize when selecting an evaluator. A clinical psychologist advocates for a patient’s wellbeing. A forensic psychologist advocates for accuracy. Every evaluation at FC PsychExperts follows this principle: the psychologist’s role is not to support either party’s position but to present impartial findings that help the trier of fact reach a just decision.
Credentials separate qualified forensic psychologists from general practitioners who occasionally accept legal referrals. Doctoral-level training in psychology is the baseline. Beyond that, attorneys should look for specific forensic specialization, documented experience with the type of evaluation the case requires, a track record of expert witness testimony in Florida courts, and familiarity with evidentiary standards that govern admissibility of psychological evidence. The forensic psychologists at FC PsychExperts meet each of these criteria and have provided testimony in Florida’s 1st, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 20th judicial circuits.
Broward County courts operate within the 17th Judicial Circuit, handling criminal, civil, and family law matters for Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and surrounding communities. Attorneys practicing in this circuit need forensic psychologists who understand local court expectations and have direct experience presenting findings to Broward County judges and juries.
Criminal Cases That Require a Forensic Psychologist in Pompano Beach
Criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors in Pompano Beach turn to FC PsychExperts when a defendant’s mental state is central to the case. Our criminal forensic evaluations address competency, criminal responsibility, sentencing mitigation, violence risk, and sexual behavior, providing courts with psychological evidence needed to resolve the legal questions at stake.
Competency to stand trial evaluations determine whether a defendant understands the charges against them and can meaningfully participate in their own defense. Dr. Cathy Colet has conducted competency evaluations in both adult and juvenile settings, applying standardized instruments that measure a defendant’s factual and rational understanding of legal proceedings.
Criminal responsibility evaluations examine whether a defendant’s mental state at the time of the alleged offense meets Florida’s legal threshold for an insanity defense. These assessments demand a forensic psychologist trained in retrospective mental state analysis, not simply a clinician offering a current diagnosis. Mitigation evaluations identify psychological factors that may support a downward departure from standard sentencing guidelines, giving defense attorneys evidence-based grounds for sentencing arguments.
Violence risk assessments evaluate the likelihood of future dangerous behavior, informing judicial decisions about bail, sentencing, and supervised release. Psychosexual evaluations assess sexual behavior patterns and recidivism risk, frequently required in cases involving sexual offenses and sexually violent predator proceedings. Dr. Beltran’s 25 years of criminal law experience strengthens the practice’s capacity in high-stakes criminal evaluations where courtroom credibility is everything.
Every criminal evaluation produces a written report documenting the instruments used, clinical observations, collateral data reviewed, and the factual basis for each conclusion. Reports from FC PsychExperts are prepared to meet Daubert standards for admissibility of scientific evidence in Florida courts.
Family Law and Custody Evaluations
Family law cases in Pompano Beach frequently require a forensic psychologist to conduct independent assessments that prioritize the best interests of children. FC PsychExperts performs parental capacity assessments, social investigations, custody evaluations, and psychological evaluations for family courts across Broward County, providing judges with objective evidence for custody and visitation decisions.
Psychological services for family court carry a unique ethical obligation. Unlike criminal or civil evaluations where the psychologist’s duty runs to the court, family law evaluations require the forensic psychologist to represent the best interests of the children involved. Whether the referral comes from a parent, a family law attorney, an agency such as ChildNet or Communities Connected for Kids, or directly from the court, the primary concern at FC PsychExperts is child wellbeing.
Custody and visitation evaluations assess each parent’s psychological functioning, parenting capacity, and the quality of the parent-child relationship. The forensic psychologist may also evaluate risk factors related to potential abuse, substance use, or domestic violence. Dr. Colet approaches each family law evaluation objectively, methodically, and comprehensively, producing reports that clearly document the assessment procedures used and the clinical basis for every recommendation.
Dr. Beltran’s extensive family law experience adds further depth to the practice’s custody evaluation capabilities, particularly in high-conflict cases where both parties retain their own experts and the court needs an independent assessment it can trust.
Civil Litigation and Psychological Injury Assessments
In civil court, a forensic psychologist in Pompano Beach, FL evaluates the psychological impact of injuries, accidents, and traumatic events. FC PsychExperts conducts personal injury evaluations, independent medical examinations (IME), guardianship assessments, civil commitment evaluations, and psychological autopsies for civil litigators throughout Broward County.
Personal injury and emotional distress evaluations document the psychological harm a plaintiff has suffered, quantifying symptoms in terms that courts and insurance carriers understand. These evaluations go beyond a simple diagnosis. The forensic psychologist assesses pre-existing conditions, causation, severity of impairment, and prognosis, producing a report that connects psychological findings directly to the legal questions in the case.
Dr. Lauren Miller’s training as a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist makes FC PsychExperts particularly well-equipped for civil cases involving traumatic brain injury, cognitive impairment, and neurodevelopmental factors. Neuropsychological assessment measures how the brain functions across domains including memory, attention, executive functioning, and processing speed. In personal injury litigation where a plaintiff’s cognitive abilities are at issue, Dr. Miller’s evaluations provide the clinical precision that distinguishes a credible expert opinion from a general clinical impression.
Independent medical examinations, guardianship evaluations, and mental competency examinations round out the civil practice. Each assessment follows the same evidence-based methodology that governs every evaluation at FC PsychExperts: validated instruments, thorough documentation, and reports built to survive cross-examination.
Immigration and Juvenile Forensic Evaluations
FC PsychExperts provides forensic evaluations for immigration proceedings and juvenile law cases across Pompano Beach and South Florida. Immigration evaluations assess psychological hardship for waiver applications and asylum claims, while juvenile evaluations address competency, risk, and behavioral assessment for minors involved in the legal system.
Immigration evaluations require a forensic psychologist who understands both the clinical presentation of psychological hardship and the legal standards that immigration courts apply when reviewing waiver and asylum petitions. FC PsychExperts produces reports that document the psychological evidence immigration judges and USCIS officers need to evaluate hardship claims, including the psychological impact of separation, persecution, or trauma.
Juvenile forensic evaluations address a different set of legal questions. Competency to stand trial in juvenile proceedings requires age-appropriate assessment instruments and an understanding of adolescent cognitive and emotional development that differs significantly from adult evaluation. Violence and sexual risk assessments for juveniles, sexual behavior assessments, and consultation with the Department of Juvenile Justice, ChildNet, and Communities Connected for Kids are all areas where FC PsychExperts has documented experience providing child and adolescent psychological evaluations for government and private entities.
The Forensic Psychologists at FC PsychExperts
The forensic psychology team at FC PsychExperts combines doctoral-level clinical training, specialized forensic expertise, and a documented courtroom record. Led by founder Dr. Cathy Colet, the practice includes Dr. Lauren Miller and Dr. Christopher J. Beltran, each bringing distinct capabilities that allow the practice to handle the full spectrum of forensic psychology cases with credibility and depth.
Dr. Cathy Colet is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist who founded Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts, LLC. Her practice covers criminal, civil, family, and immigration law evaluations. She has provided expert witness testimony across Florida’s 1st, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 20th judicial circuits, demonstrating courtroom experience that spans multiple regions of the state. Her background includes work in Level 1 Trauma Centers with trauma patients and their families, and participation in the Operation Youth Violence Task Force in West Palm Beach. Dr. Colet maintains professional affiliations with the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), and the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA).
Dr. Lauren Miller is a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist with nearly 20 years of experience as a clinician, consultant, lecturer, and writer. She holds academic appointments as adjunct faculty at the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University, where she provides graduate-level instruction and clinical supervision for doctoral trainees and post-doctoral fellows. Dr. Miller’s litigation consulting expertise includes analysis of opposing experts’ reports and development of deposition questions for attorneys, a service that goes beyond standard forensic evaluation into strategic case support.
Dr. Christopher J. Beltran is a licensed forensic psychologist with over 25 years of experience in criminal and family law. His career has been dedicated to forensic psychology practice, bringing a depth of courtroom and evaluation experience to the team that reinforces FC PsychExperts’ capacity in high-volume and complex cases.
Dr. Cathy Colet
Forensic PsychologistDr. Cathy Colet is a Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and founder of Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts, LLC.
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Dr. Lauren Miller
Clinical and Forensic NeuropsychologistDr. Miller has nearly 20 years of experience as a clinician, consultant, lecturer, and writer.
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Dr. Matthew J. Jalazo
Forensic PsychologistDr. Matthew J. Jalazo is a licensed psychologist who has practiced forensic psychology on a full-time basis for the last fifteen years.
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Dr. Christopher J. Beltran
Forensic PsychologistDr. Beltran is a Licensed Forensic Psychologist with over twenty-five years of experience in criminal and family law
Read MoreHow a Forensic Evaluation Works
FC PsychExperts follows a structured evaluation process from the initial referral through report delivery, ensuring every forensic evaluation is thorough, defensible, and completed within court-required timelines. Attorneys and courts can expect clear communication at each stage of the process.
The process begins with an initial consultation where the forensic psychologist reviews the referral question, discusses the scope of the evaluation, and identifies the legal issues the assessment must address. This step ensures the evaluation is tailored to the specific questions the court or attorney needs answered, not a generic assessment applied to every case.
Once the evaluation is scheduled, the forensic psychologist conducts a clinical interview, administers standardized psychological testing, and completes behavioral observations. The specific instruments selected depend on the type of evaluation and the legal questions at issue. For neuropsychological assessments, Dr. Miller uses additional testing that measures cognitive functioning across domains including memory, attention, executive functioning, and processing speed.
Collateral data review is a critical component. The evaluator examines medical records, legal documents, prior psychological reports, and other relevant materials to place the clinical findings in proper context. After the assessment is complete, the forensic psychologist prepares a detailed written report that documents every procedure used, every source of information considered, and the factual basis for all conclusions.
If expert witness testimony is needed, the forensic psychologists at FC PsychExperts prepare thoroughly for deposition and trial. The team has experience collaborating with attorneys on case strategy, cross-examination preparation, and analysis of opposing experts’ findings.
Serving Pompano Beach and Broward County
FC PsychExperts serves attorneys, courts, and individuals throughout Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and the broader Broward County area from our Fort Lauderdale office at 1451 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. The office is located approximately three miles south of Pompano Beach, making it one of the most accessible forensic psychology practices for legal professionals working in northern Broward County.
Broward County falls within Florida’s 17th Judicial Circuit. The forensic psychologists at FC PsychExperts have direct experience with courts in this circuit and understand the expectations of Broward County judges regarding forensic evaluation reports and expert testimony. Our Jupiter office at 210 Jupiter Lakes Blvd, Unit 4-201, Jupiter, FL 33458 provides additional coverage for cases in Palm Beach County and the 15th Judicial Circuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a forensic psychologist do?
A forensic psychologist conducts psychological evaluations and provides expert testimony for legal proceedings. Unlike clinical psychologists who focus on treatment, forensic psychologists at FC PsychExperts serve the court by producing objective, evidence-based findings about a person’s mental state, cognitive functioning, or behavioral risk. These evaluations follow ethical guidelines that prioritize impartiality, and the resulting reports are specifically designed for use in legal settings where findings must meet standards for admissibility as scientific evidence.
How is a forensic psychologist different from a clinical psychologist?
The core difference is purpose and allegiance. A clinical psychologist advocates for a patient’s wellbeing and provides treatment. A forensic psychologist advocates for accuracy and serves the court. At FC PsychExperts, every forensic evaluation is conducted to answer specific legal questions objectively, not to support any party’s position. The forensic psychologist uses validated testing instruments, reviews collateral records, and produces reports that document the factual basis for every conclusion. This objectivity is what makes forensic evaluations admissible and credible in legal proceedings.
What types of cases does a forensic psychologist in Pompano Beach handle?
Forensic psychologists at FC PsychExperts handle cases across criminal law (competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, mitigation, violence risk, psychosexual evaluations), family law (custody evaluations, parental capacity assessments), civil law (personal injury, independent medical examinations, guardianship), immigration (hardship evaluations, asylum claims), and juvenile law (competency, risk assessment, behavioral evaluation). Each evaluation type requires specific forensic training and experience with the legal standards that apply in that area of law.
What should I expect during a forensic evaluation?
A forensic evaluation at FC PsychExperts typically includes a clinical interview, standardized psychological testing, and behavioral observations conducted by a licensed forensic psychologist. The evaluator also reviews medical records, legal documents, and other collateral information relevant to your case. At the start, the psychologist explains the purpose and scope of the evaluation. After the assessment, a detailed written report documents all findings, procedures, and the factual basis for every conclusion. The process is thorough, objective, and designed to produce evidence the court can rely on.
Can forensic psychologists provide expert witness testimony in Pompano Beach courts?
Yes. The forensic psychologists at FC PsychExperts have provided expert witness testimony across Florida’s 1st, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 20th judicial circuits. Pompano Beach falls within the 17th Judicial Circuit (Broward County), where our team has direct courtroom experience. Testimony may be needed at deposition, at trial, or both. Our psychologists prepare thoroughly for courtroom presentation and have experience working with attorneys on cross-examination preparation and analysis of opposing experts’ reports.
How do I choose the right forensic psychologist for my case?
Look for doctoral-level training in psychology, specific forensic specialization (not just general clinical experience), documented experience with the type of evaluation your case requires, and a record of expert witness testimony in Florida courts. The psychologist should be familiar with Daubert standards for admissibility and have experience in the judicial circuit where your case is being heard. FC PsychExperts in Pompano Beach meets each of these criteria, with a team that includes specialists in forensic psychology, forensic neuropsychology, and family law evaluation.