Not Guilty by reason of insanity

The purpose of a Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) evaluation is to determine if a criminal defendant 1) had a severe mental disease or defect at the time of an alleged offense and 2) had the capacity to understand the wrongfulness of their actions at the time of an alleged offense. Dr. Tarescavage has published several peer-reviewed research articles involving individuals adjudicated as NGRI. The statue defining NGRI evaluations is outlined in the Ohio Revised Code. 

Prior to their Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity assessment with Dr. Tarescavage, the criminal defendant will complete a brief history questionnaire. They will also sign releases of information requesting medical records from treatment providers. Finally, the criminal defendant will prepare a short list of people who know them well, along with contact information. The in-person component of the evaluation lasts approximately 3.0 hours and begins with an overview of the purpose of the evaluation as well as a review of the limitations on confidentiality. After introductions, the criminal defendant typically completes one-hour of psychological testing. This testing generally includes the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3), a widely-used and well-validated psychological test.  This testing provides a comprehensive and objective foundation for a well-informed and impartial clinical interview. After testing is completed, Dr. Tarescavage conducts the clinical interview. The first part of the interview involves the collection of background information (family, educational, medical, employment, military, legal, and substance use). The second part of the interview is the diagnostic assessment. Dr. Tarescavage will assess the criminal defendant’s symptoms, the course of their problems, and impairment. Next, during the most comprehensive aspect of the assessment, Dr. Tarescavage inquires about the criminal defendant’s cognitions, behaviors, and symptoms leading up to and through the alleged instant offense. Finally, Dr. Tarescavage gives the evaluee preliminary feedback on their assessment results. However, Dr. Tarescavage will never give feedback on his opinion regarding the criminal defendant’s sanity at the time of the alleged instant offense. After the in-person evaluation is completed, Dr. Tarescavage will conduct a record review and collateral contact process and write a 7 to 10 page report detailing his findings and opinions. The referral source will receive the report within three business days of the evaluation (assuming additional records do not need to be requested). If the evaluee is interested in obtaining a copy of the evaluation, they will need to contact the referral source. 

These evaluations are criminal forensic assessments, which include competency to stand trial, not guilty by reason of insanity, mitigation of penalty, violence risk assessment, and intervention in lieu of conviction evaluations.