Understanding Court Ordered Psychological Evaluations
Guide for Teens...

What are my Legal Rights?

• YOU have the right to be represented by a lawyer from the very beginning of the case.  Sometimes, your lawyer, the judge, DCF, or another party in the case may ask for a separate guardian ad litem (GAL).  Your lawyer will always tell the judge what YOU WANT.  Your GAL will tell the court what he or she believes IS BEST FOR YOU.
• Sometimes, DCF or another party in the case will ask for a psychological evaluation.  State law and court rules allow for these types of evaluations.
• Your lawyer should talk to you about the psychological evaluation.  Your lawyer can sometimes place a limit on the type of evaluation that is being requested.
• There are some times, though not often, when your lawyer can even convince a judge that you do not need to participate in an evaluation.

Okay, I just found out that I have to go to this evaluation…now what?

• The court ordered psychological evaluation is a tool that the judge uses to help decide a case.  The evaluator IS NOT your doctor.  There IS NO confidentiality between you and the evaluator.
• EVERYTHING you tell the evaluator will be put into a written report and read by all of the lawyers, your DCF worker and other parties in the case.  However, NO ONE who IS NOT a part of the case will be able to read it unless the judge says it is okay.  For example, if you have an individual therapist then it might be helpful if that person was able to read the evaluation.
• Psychological evaluations can be very helpful in understanding the case.  Your GAL would like for you to be open and honest with the evaluator.  Your lawyer will tell you that if there is something you would not want anybody else to know about then do not tell the evaluator.
• Although you may be required to attend a psychological evaluation that has been ordered by the court, you DO NOT have to participate if you do not want to.  If you choose not to cooperate, be very respectful and just tell the evaluator that you do not want to participate.  

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