A sentencing mitigation blog about how to use the science of offender risk and needs assessment as the framework for telling a client's life-story in order to get a more favorable disposition in their criminal case.
Criminal defense attorneys can combine principles from the science of offender risk and needs assessment (Criminology) and from the science of human flourishing (Positive Psychology) to give clients an evidence-based framework for living prosocial, anti-criminal lives. Moreover, when their clients address criminogenic needs and barriers to treatment using cognitive behavioral interventions and their own signature character strengths, the result is a powerful and persuasive argument lawyers can use for better outcomes with less severe consequences.
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing and how our character strengths and virtues contribute to our individual happiness and well-being as well
Introduction The Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS) is a suite of ten evidence-based offender risk and needs tools used by the Missouri Department of Corrections
(ABA Standards for Criminal Justice, The Defense Function §8.3)
