Before entering a plea, courts often need comprehensive evaluations that clarify a defendant’s mental health, risk factors, and treatment needs. The Institute of Forensic Psychology (IFP) offers Pre-Plea Psychological and Psychosexual Evaluations to support attorneys, courts, and agencies in making informed decisions regarding case strategy, sentencing, supervision, and treatment planning. These evaluations are conducted for both adults and juveniles, with methods tailored to age, developmental stage, and the specific referral question.
Pre-Plea Psychological Evaluations
When adolescents or adults are involved in the legal system, a Pre-Plea Psychological Evaluation helps clarify mental health functioning, capacity, and risk factors before plea agreements. These evaluations are particularly valuable in cases involving juveniles, where questions about developmental maturity and amenability to treatment may influence court decisions.
Our Approach
- Clinical interviews with the individual to assess mental health, decision-making, and developmental history.
- Psychological testing to evaluate cognitive abilities, emotional functioning, and criminogenic risk.
- Record review, including school, medical, and prior legal documentation.
- Collateral contacts with parents, guardians, teachers, or probation officers (for juveniles) to gather additional context.
What We Address
- Presence of mental health or psychiatric disorders at the time of the alleged offense.
- Ability to understand the nature and consequences of actions.
- Developmental and psychosocial factors influencing behavior.
- Treatment needs and readiness for intervention.
Reporting
IFP delivers impartial reports that summarize findings and connect them directly to the pre-plea referral question. Reports are structured to help attorneys and courts evaluate case options with confidence.
Pre-Plea Psychosexual Evaluations
Courts may request a Pre-Plea Psychosexual Evaluation when allegations involve sexual offenses. These evaluations provide insight into risk, treatment needs, and safety planning, supporting plea negotiations, sentencing recommendations, and community reintegration decisions. IFP conducts these evaluations for both adults and juveniles, using age-appropriate methods and assessments.
Our Approach
- Clinical interviews focused on developmental, relational, and sexual history.
- Psychological and psychosexual testing to evaluate attitudes, deviance, and risk factors.
- Record review, including treatment, medical, and legal history.
- Collateral contacts with parents, probation, or treatment providers when relevant.
- Consideration of developmental stage to ensure age-appropriate evaluation in juvenile cases.
What We Address
- Presence of psychological or personality factors linked to offending behavior.
- Risk of recidivism (sexual and non-sexual) and protective factors.
- Treatment needs, supervision recommendations, and intervention planning.
- Developmental and contextual considerations for juveniles.
Reporting
IFP provides structured reports that clearly present findings and address the pre-plea referral question. Reports highlight relevant risk and protective factors while maintaining objectivity, offering the court practical guidance for case resolution.
Why Choose IFP
IFP delivers evaluations that are objective, evidence-based, and trusted in court. Our multi-credentialed team employs a thorough and impartial process to ensure that findings are clear, relevant, and legally useful. We prioritize timeliness without sacrificing quality, and every evaluation is conducted with professional respect and cultural competence.
We look forward to working with you and supporting the critical decisions entrusted to the courts.
Supporting Criminal Courts and Legal Professionals in Houston
IFP offers Pre-Plea Psychological or Psychosexual Evaluations that meet the highest forensic standards. Our reports are impartial, evidence-based, and written with legal clarity, giving courts and attorneys the information they need for high-stakes criminal cases.
To request an evaluation, please contact IFP directly, and a member of our team will follow up with you shortly.