Blog

When a teenager commits a serious crime, the public reaction is often swift and unforgiving: try them as an adult, sentence them as an adult, and throw away the key. That impulse is understandable. The harm caused by juvenile offenders is real, and the pain of victims demands to be honored. But here is what the science tells us, and what the law is slowly beginning to accept: the teenage brain is fundamentally, biologically different from the adult brain. And a justice system

The competency restoration system in many states, including Illinois, is under significant strain. Long waitlists for inpatient beds, increasing numbers of unfit defendants, and evolving statutory guidance have forced courts and clinicians to rethink a basic question: Who actually needs inpatient restoration, and who does not? This is no longer a theoretical issue. It is a daily, practical problem affecting case timelines, defendants’ rights, and public safety. The Legal Star

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasingly recognized in forensic settings—not because individuals on the spectrum are more likely to engage in criminal behavior, but because the legal system is often not designed for neurodivergent communication styles, social reasoning patterns, and sensory differences. When autism intersects with criminal proceedings, the most important question is not “Does this person have ASD?” but rather, “How does ASD affect their functional abili

Courts are often asked to make decisions that require more than a simple determination of whether an offense occurred. Sentencing, diversion, probation conditions, and placement decisions all involve judgment about risk, rehabilitation potential, and proportionality. Forensic psychological evaluations can assist by identifying mitigating factors, which are clinically supported circumstances that help explain the pathway to offending behavior. Mitigation is not the same as exc

In Illinois, a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card is a required credential for anyone who wants to legally possess or purchase firearms or ammunition. It does not authorize someone to carry a firearm in public, and it does not replace a concealed carry license. Instead, it functions as a baseline eligibility card that confirms a person meets the State’s legal requirements to possess firearms under Illinois law. From a public-safety standpoint, the FOID system gives Il

Across the United States, competency to stand trial evaluations have shifted from a routine procedural safeguard to one of the most pressing bottlenecks in the criminal legal system. Courts are overwhelmed, jails are overcrowded, defendants are waiting months for restoration services, and states are facing lawsuits alleging violations of constitutional rights. The crisis is real. But it is not unmanageable. With the right reforms, it’s possible to restore efficiency, fairness