Assessment of an offender’s risk to commit a new sexual offense can provide the court with important information when deciding on sentencing issues. Dr. Kline has completed numerous evaluations of risk for sex offenders and violent offenders, using a combination of relevant data and actuarial measures coupled with the most recent up-to-date research.

In these evaluations Dr. Kline pulls together the available data on the client to determine his or her current level of functioning and how that influences the client’s capacity to stand trial.  Dr. Kline is able to examine the impact of mental illness, developmental disabilities, and other factors that can impair a client’s capacity to understand the legal proceedings and assist in his or her own defense.

In these evaluations Dr. Kline needs access to as much data as possible about the defendant.  Missouri law, which is similar to many other states, requires that there be  a mental disease or defect at the time of the offense and that the mental disease or defect interfered with the defendants ability to “appreciate the nature, quality, or wrongfulness” of their alleged criminal behavior.

Certain criminal offenses often require proof of specific intent. There are times when a person’s mental state interferes with their ability to fully form the necessary intent for the crime charged.  Dr. Kline can evaluate these issues and explain in a clear and concise manner how the person’s mental state impacted his or her behavior.

In many cases it is important to present information to the court regarding mitigating factors that may have influenced the defendants actions during the course of the alleged crime. These factors can help influence sentencing issues.