Andrea Haddock Psychologist

Background:

During the course of my career as a psychologist I have pursued my interest in forensic behaviour by undergoing extensive training in court report writing. Over the years, I have been engaged by many Lawyers and Criminal Defence Lawyers to produce reports to the court to enable the magistrate or judge to better understand the individual, thus potentially leading to better outcomes for the person.

Types of Reports:

Treatment Reports

A Treatment Report is a summary of what the client has done under the supervision of the psychologist, in order to resolve the issues that may have led to the offending behaviour. This can show the court that the individual has acknowledged that he/she is accountable for the behaviour, however also that he/she has been proactive in addressing the problem and resolving the issues so that it serves as a prevention to potential future offending. This can help the court make a decision in regards to sentencing.

Expert Witness Report or Psychological Assessment Report

This is an objective assessment of the bio-psycho-social factors that impacted on an offence being committed. It is a more in depth report that can identify any mitigating factors that the court might consider in sentencing. This type of report enables the magistrate or judge to understand the person and the “why” of the offence. This report will likely make recommendations for treatment options that may reduce future offending behaviour, and again enables the magistrate or judge to make a more informed decision in regards to sentencing.