Intersections of the Legal System and the Deaf Community

This book examines how those with disabilities, and in particular, the Deaf and hard-of-hearing, are impacted by the influence language and culture in policing, criminal law, and corrections. Frequently left out of policy making and research, almost no resources exist that can inform and aid law enforcement, legal, and correctional officials on culturally competent interactions with the Deaf and hard-of-hearing. As a result, this group is at a distinct disadvantage when dealing with law enforcement or the courts as well as being vastly underserved, which often lead to negative outcomes for the Deaf suspect/defendant/inmate as they attempt to interact with law enforcement and navigate the legal system. In a step-by-step presentation from arrest to incarceration each chapter will discuss a specific part of the legal system. As well as providing information on the topic, this book can serve as an important resource to the myriad of issues and difficulties that may be experiences by the Deaf suspect, defendant, or inmate, as well as by law enforcement officers, attorneys, and correctional officers.  To illustrate these issues, previous cases of Deaf suspects, defendants, and inmates will be presented and discussed to clarify key issues and to provide a perspective of the problem. Each chapter dealing with these issues will also provide suggestions for more culturally competent interactions between the Deaf community and the legal system.

David M. Feldman, Ph.D. is an associate professor of psychology and the Coordinator of the Clinical Forensic Psychology Concentration at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida, where he also supervises the Psychology Services Center’s Deaf and Hard-of Hearing Psychological Services Clinic.  As a graduate of Gallaudet University, he has a background in the evaluation and treatment of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing. Dr. Feldman has provided consultation to,  law enforcement, attorneys, courts, and correctional, inpatient, and civil commitment facilities. He has testified as an expert in   state and federal court and provided consultation related to Deaf suspects, defendants, and inmates.  Dr. Feldman has also presented and provided workshops for numerous professional  organizations... His work has been published in various professional journals, books, and other media.

Paul M. Silvasi, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in the State of Utah, and employed as a forensic evaluator at Utah State Hospital. He is a Deaf individual with native fluency in ASL, and a graduate from Gallaudet University, where he received specialized training in the provision of clinical services with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. His primary research interest relates to the interactions between Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals and the legal system, and this began during his undergraduate studies at Rochester Institute of Technology. Though early in his career, he has had the opportunity to publish one of his works as well as present at national conferences.

Dayna E. Rotshtyn, MS is currently completing her PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Davie, Florida. She graduated with her Masters in Forensic Psychology also from NSU and has dedicated her studies to providing forensic evaluations and increasing awareness for the treatment of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing. Ms. Rotshtyn is currently in her pre-doctoral internship at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo, CO (CMHHIP) with a focus on forensic assessments and the treatment of sex offenders. She hopes to continue to her work in providing multicultural competent evaluations after graduating with her doctoral degree in September 2023.

Caleigh Covell, MS, is currently completing her PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida. She has dedicated her studies to forensic assessment, treatment, and cultural considerations for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing population. Ms. Covell aims to continue to her work in promoting multicultural growth in the field during her predoctoral internship and upon graduating with her doctorate degree in the fall of 2024.