Psychosexual Evaluations in Minnesota - the Basics
If you have been accused of or charged with a sex crime as an adult or as a juvenile, be it statutory rape, date rape, first through fifth degree criminal sexual conduct, child pornography or more, a psychosexual evaluation may be in your future. The purpose of this article is to provide some basic information about what it is, what it is for, what it generally isn’t for, how much it costs, etc. If you already haven’t done so, it is critically important to sit down with a Minnesota sexual misconduct defense attorney to discuss what is coming at you.
What is a Psychosexual Evaluation? What Does it Do?
A psychosexual evaluation is a battery of tests, a diagnostic review of records and clinical interview used to assess a person’s sexual and psychological functioning. The purpose is to determine if that behavior deviates from generally accepted parameters into the abnormal, if not illegal. The results of the process is intended to provide a comprehensive treatment program. In the end, this evaluation is intended to identify:
Types of Intervention that would be most effective;
Level of care, such as community based care versus a secure placement;
Willingness of the person to engage in the treatment program;
Determine risk factors that should be focused upon during treatment;
Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the person, family and support network to succeed in treatment;
Determining risk of repeating the behavior, known as recidivism, with limitations.
What Does the Psychosexual Examination NOT do?
While there are some things that the psychosexual evaluation are intended to determine, guilt or innocence in a criminal case is not one of them. It also doesn’t determine whether you fit the profile of a sex offender or is consistent with one. It is also not intended to be used as part of a marital dissolution and parenting custody determination.
How Does the Process Work? How Long Does it Take?
While every psychosexual evaluation is somewhat unique and the evaluators themselves may change what they do or are trying to do, there are several generally accepted approaches and areas that one should expect to find. It may take a couple of weeks to set up and requires several steps including filling out information and providing documents to an extensive interview. It usually includes several basic parts:
Diagnostic Review of Records: This review may include a criminal complaint, intake forms, medical or psychological records and more in preparation for meeting with the individual. This may include a separate appointment for filling out forms including insurance and signing releases.
The Psychosexual Interview: This interview usually takes several hours with the goals of determining individual recommendations, doing a Risk Assessment and a clinical diagnosis.
Psychological Testing if Necessary: Intended to provide additional information by the additional completion of a battery of examinations to diagnosis and make recommendations.
For more specific information on the types of tests, check out Psychosexual Evaluations in Sexual Misconduct Cases in Minnesota.
How Much Does it Cost?
Psychosexual evaluations aren’t cheap and the treatment program itself can be even more expensive. The evaluation itself could cost $1000 or more. At the same time, different providers do take health insurance for those who have this option.
What do I do if I’m Facing Sexual Misconduct Charges in Minnesota?
These are the kinds of allegations, charges and convictions that can change the trajectory of an entire. There could always be the Before and the After. You need to know what is coming first, second and third and how to prepare. An experienced Minnesota Sex Crimes lawyer can help you do that.
Jack Rice is a former prosecutor, a former U.S. CIA Officer, a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and the Founder of Jack Rice Defense. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339. Jack’s got your back.