Kenneth Padowitz - Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney

Application of Forensic Psychology to the Criminal Justice System

Forensic psychology has over the years played a key role in the legal field of criminal justice. To fully appreciate how this field of psychology affects criminal justice, it is important to first understand what it is and how it is applied in court cases. Definition of Forensic Psychology Forensic psychology is a unique combination of medical psychology and criminal justice. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines forensic psychology as the use of clinical specialties in the legal system. A forensic psychologist applies psychological [...]

Application of Forensic Psychology to the Criminal Justice SystemKenneth Padowitz2024-07-29T18:01:54+00:00

Criminals: Parents Aren’t Always At Fault

Parenting and Criminality Mental health professionals have been at the forefront of answering the questions that mortify the rest of us. In what environment and under what conditions did a one-time murderer, serial killer or mass shooter grow up? Among a growing number of factors, the parents of criminals receive a great deal of scrutiny. Could they have played a role in shaping up who the criminal becomes in the future? What else plays a role in determining whether juveniles or adults break the [...]

Criminals: Parents Aren’t Always At FaultKenneth Padowitz2024-07-29T17:51:07+00:00

Can You Use Kleptomania as a Defense For Shoplifting?

Can a person who is caught shoplifting claim temporary insanity by virtue of being kleptomaniac? Is kleptomania a good defense? Kleptomania is a medically recognized psychological disorder. It is an impulse control disorder that ultimately results in those afflicted having the uncontrollable urge to steal other people’s property. The kleptomaniac, unlike the routine shoplifter, does not typically steal for personal gain. This therefore begs the question, if people accused of more serious crimes committed due to a mental disorder can get away with an [...]

Can You Use Kleptomania as a Defense For Shoplifting?Kenneth Padowitz2024-07-29T17:41:51+00:00

Forensics, Confidentiality & The Law

Confidentiality and the Law “Protecting my sources” has long been a vital part of news reporting. Confidentiality is often also claimed by physicians, counselors, and the clergy. How far that can go and whether or not information can be requested for a legal proceeding of has long been a hotly contested arena for debate. There are, however, some commonsense solutions to whether or not confidential information should be admissible in a court of law or revealed for any purpose. Develop proof through other means. [...]

Forensics, Confidentiality & The LawKenneth Padowitz2024-07-29T17:35:38+00:00

Can Addiction Be Used as Legal Defense for Drug Possession Charges?

Recent medical and psychological studies have shown that there are neurophysiological mechanisms associated with drug addiction. The revelations have created a debate among legal theorists about whether or not addiction diminishes responsibility. While some agree with the theory, others claim that the studies do not involve coercion, compulsion, or irrationality that would excuse an addict from punishment for crimes committed under influence of drugs. The general argument is that in as much as addiction is a disease, addicts are responsible for their condition and [...]

Can Addiction Be Used as Legal Defense for Drug Possession Charges?Kenneth Padowitz2024-07-29T17:26:19+00:00

Fishing in Heraclitus’ River: An Examination of Criminal Psychology and Rehabilitation

Who was Heraclitus and why would his river have anything to do with criminal psychology or rehabilitation? Here’s an examination of some ideas that revolve around Heraclitus’ most famous saying, advances in criminal psychology and rehabilitation. Heraclitus, a Greek Philosopher Heraclitus was a Greek philosopher who said that we could never wade in the same river twice. He was referring, on one level, to the way water washes past the land and that the droplets that are there one moment are gone away downstream [...]

Fishing in Heraclitus’ River: An Examination of Criminal Psychology and RehabilitationKenneth Padowitz2024-07-29T17:19:59+00:00

Air Pollution and Violent Crime: Is There a Link?

Previously viewed as manifestation of evil, criminality is now being studied as a cause of prevalent factors in a criminal’s environment. There have been recent studies linking the increase of criminal elements with how it is being influenced by society. But a new study is putting the blame on a more chemical level – air pollution. Violent Crimes and Air Pollution – The Correlation The National Bureau for Economic Research, according to its recent study, is trying to make a link between the rise [...]

Air Pollution and Violent Crime: Is There a Link?Kenneth Padowitz2024-07-29T17:00:25+00:00

Displaced Aggression Theory | Road Rage

Displaced Aggression Theory What is Displaced Aggression? Displaced aggression can occur when someone cannot aggress towards the source of incitement or provocation, so instead takes it out on something else and behaves aggressively towards another individual that had nothing to do with the initial conflict. According to Bushman in a 2005 study, "Aggression is displaced when the target is innocent of any wrongdoing but is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time." The individual may need to constrain any aggression when dealing [...]

Displaced Aggression Theory | Road RageKenneth Padowitz2024-07-29T15:41:16+00:00

Forensics, Schools and Election Year

Even numbered years are usually election years, and 2018 is no exception. Among other offices under consideration this year are several openings in Parkland school board in Broward County. School board elections are not usually so heated, but this one reflects the emotional atmosphere left by the Parkland school shooting. A Little Background On February 14, 2018, troubled 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire in a high school in Parkland, Florida. Before his shooting spree was over, he murdered seventeen people and wounded seventeen others. [...]

Forensics, Schools and Election YearKenneth Padowitz2024-07-29T15:34:21+00:00

Some Forensic Alertness Can Be Practiced by Anyone

Boredom Therapy is one of those crazy Internet ad/story websites that require visitors to click through several pages to get a heartwarming story about a child, a dog, a cat, a wild animal or the elderly. One of their stories details an incident where a Walmart service desk worker was alert and used her forensic instincts to help an elderly man. The story details an elderly fellow who was just getting ready to celebrate Christmas with his grand kids when he gets a call. [...]

Some Forensic Alertness Can Be Practiced by AnyoneKenneth Padowitz2024-07-29T15:27:18+00:00

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