At HD Psychologists, we provide Expert Witness Psychological Assessment Reports for courts and individuals. These reports are provided by fully qualified registered psychologists who produce objective and evidence-based psychological assessment reports for matters under Section 14 of the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act.
Section 14 of the New South Wales (NSW) Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act is commonly used to divert individuals suffering from mental conditions away from criminal penalisation and towards receiving the help and treatment they need. A Section 14 order can be granted in situations where an individual was suffering from a mental condition at the time of the alleged offence or can be is shown to be suffering from an ongoing mental condition during the court proceedings.
If you have been charged with an offence and are granted a Section 14 mental health order, it means that you will bypass the court system in favour of a court-mandated treatment plan and won’t receive a criminal conviction. The magistrate may dismiss the charges altogether as long as you agree to participate in the treatment plan. In other cases, they may adjourn the court proceedings until you have undergone treatment to see how you respond.
If you are currently in custody, you may be able to successfully obtain bail by securing a Section 14 order. This will allow you to remain out of custody until your court date, provided you participate in the mandatory treatment programme.
The definition of a mental health condition is less severe than a developmental disability or mental illness. Mental health conditions can include a range of issues such as anxiety, depression, and severe substance abuse. A mental health condition is broadly defined as a treatable mental health problem that can be addressed through psychological intervention or counselling.
Our psychologists are professionally qualified to provide assessment reports and treatments relating to most expert witness matters. They have been qualified since the first day of their registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). At HD Psychology, we have prepared numerous psychological assessment reports on behalf of our clients, which have been submitted to the courts, Department of Immigration, Migration Review Tribunal, and educational institutions.
The quality of our reports is ensured by conducting face-to-face interviews and assessments, utilising psychometric tests where appropriate, and consulting with referees to ensure we clearly understand and meet the requirements of the reports. However, on rare occasions where face-to-face interviews are not possible, we gather information from alternative sources to develop comprehensive psychological reports.
We can be contacted on (001161) 1800977866 or via our “contact us” page email service.