Participation of a psychologist in legal proceedings in Lithuania

Teisinėje sistemoje numatyta galimybė naudotis įvairių sričių specialiosiomis žiniomis, bet ne visada aišku, kokias psichologijos žinias ir kaip plačiai galima pasitelkti teisiniame procese. Šiuo straipsniu siekiama nagrinėti psichologų dalyvavimo baudžiamajame, civiliniame ir administraciniame procese iššūkius ir galimybes remiantis mokslinės literatūros apžvalga bei analize, praktiniais pavyzdžiais. Pirmoji straipsnio dalis skirta psichologų dalyvavimo procesiniuose veiksmuose poreikio analizei. Antrojoje dalyje nagrinėjant praktinius iššūkius, su kuriais susiduria psichologai, dalyvaudami teisiniame procese, analizuojama: procesinio statuso ypatumai ir skirtumai, kurie palyginami su įprastais profesiniais psichologo vaidmenimis, etinės dilemos, kylančios dėl konfidencialumo laikymosi, psichologo kompetencijos klausimai. Aptariamos galimybės, kaip efektyviau bendradarbiauti ir pasinaudoti psichologų turimomis specialiosiomis žiniomis teisiniame procese.Article analyses possible usage of knowledge of psychology in Lithuanian legal system in case when a psychologist participates in proceedings. With reference to survey of scientific literature, analysis and particular cases the article examines challenges and possibilities of participation of a psychologist in legal proceedings. as the need for application of knowledge of psychology within the legal proceedings is growing, not only forensic psychology experts, but as well psychologists from various institutions more often are being invited to participate in criminal, civil and slightly less in administrative proceedings. However, the everyday roles and tasks of psychologists are different from the ones assigned while holding procedural status; this is why the participation of psychologists in legal proceedings raises challenges both in individual and in systematic level. Upon the participation in legal proceedings a psychologist enters into a new role of a specialist, an expert or a witness, which differs from his regular working tasks and relationship with a client. A psychologist may be a very good specialist in his work, however, he may lack experience and knowledge of requirements for the participation in legal proceedings. Some of major difficulties in legal proceedings may arise due to possible impartiality of a psychologist, when he has already entered into a professional relationship with a client in other than legal circumstances. Moreover, a psychologist follows the principle of confientiality in his work, as he does not disclose any information about his client that he has learned due to the professional relation without the consent of the client. However, the confidentiality is conditional and not absolute; that is why it evokes ethical dilemmas in cases when a psychologist is invited to submit evidence about his client. Upon the participation in legal proceedings as an expert or a specialist, the psychologist must have appropriate qualification, as well special knowledge and skills. Every psychologist has general knowledge of psychology and special knowledge acquired in Master studies. However, it does not mean that every psychologist is able to answer all questions submitted to him. A psychologist may be asked for services only concerining his competence, which is formulated within the limits of his education, training and experience. Besides, a psychologist participating in proceedings must have legal knowledge as well, in order to be able to fulfil his tasks properly, i.e. to refuse the task in case legal question falls outside the scope of his competence. [...