¿Cómo puede ayudarme una evaluación en mi caso? La respuesta a esta pregunta variará en función de las particularidades de su caso. A veces, la evaluación es ordenada por el tribunal para responder a una pregunta específica (por ejemplo, ¿es esta persona competente para proceder a juicio?) y otras veces es una pregunta planteada por un abogado (por ejemplo, ¿está experimentando esta persona un trastorno de estrés postraumático causado por un determinado acontecimiento o una serie de acontecimientos?) Pero debo señalar que esta pregunta es una especie de truco. La evaluación puede tener el potencial de ayudar a su caso, pero también existe la posibilidad de que no lo haga (por ejemplo, a pesar de sufrir esquizofrenia, una persona puede seguir siendo competente para ser juzgada). No puedo garantizar que los resultados de mi trabajo sean siempre útiles. Más bien puedo prometer una evaluación justa y objetiva de la cuestión sometida al tribunal. 

What are your rates?  Pricing for assessments pertaining to legal issues is very different than for clinical services.  Charges are determined by the hour, and are different for different types of activities.  For example, time providing depositions or testimony is priced differently than travel required to complete the evaluation.  Please have your attorney contact us directly for an initial fee consultation.  During that conversation, we try to give a good-faith estimate of costs. 

Are there any types of evaluations you will not do?  We do not conduct child custody evaluations or neuropsychological assessment.  There are also certain questions that simply cannot be answered through psychological services.  It is best if your attorney calls us initially so that we can determine if we have the requisite knowledge required to answer the questions relevant to your case.     

I am interested in retaining you.  What should I do?  It is important that you ask your attorney to contact us directly to discuss your case and needs.  There are two important reasons for this.  First, it is imperative that it is determined whether or not our services will be helpful to advance your attorney’s theory of the case (insofar as this is possible; the evaluation results may not actually be helpful to you).  There are cases where a psychological evaluation may actually work against your interests.  This leads to the second reason, which is that if we are retained by your attorney then our work may be protected from discovery by attorney-client privilege.  Your attorney will know the specifics and limits of this, and thus is in the best position to advise you on these matters.  

In what counties will you provide services?  While the specifics of this will be determined by the clinician being retained.  Some of us are licensed or otherwise authorized to practice not only in Illinois but in a number of states, some could theoretically work in many states.  However, the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, Lake, and Will  as well as Wisconsin’s border counties are most convenient to our practice location.  Note: Because Dr. Hicks a licensed pilot he can usually get anywhere in the state of Illinois or Wisconsin in a reasonable amount of time, and are happy to work something out for him to work with you. 

Where do you typically work?  Our office is located in Arlington Heights, and directions can be obtained here.  Some evaluations will of course require us to travel to a correctional or other institution, and under some circumstances we may be willing to travel to another location (e.g., attorney’s office)

I/my client/my loved one is currently in custody.  Will you travel?  Of course.  We will work with the attorney in the case to gain access to the facility. 

Do you work on contingency?  No.  While this is the way some attorneys work in certain types of cases, this is generally considered inappropriate for psychologists in forensic cases.  We will not be in a position where we must testify under oath that we do not get paid unless the case is won.  This could leave the impression that our objectivity will be compromised, and ultimately reduces the effectiveness of the evaluator’s testimony.