Kathryn A. LaFortune

Kathy Lafortune 11

AdjunctResearch AssociateLorton Hall 
918-631-2248
kathryn-lafortune@utulsa.edu

Dr. LaFortune has worked in one capacity or another in the legal system for over 25 years, as a municipal public defender, jail mental health director, forensic psychologist, psychological technician for persons with developmental disabilities, psychological assistant for children adjudicated delinquent, capital trial counsel, and now as Chief of Forensic Services for the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. She is especially interested in the interface of law and psychology and the admissibility of psychological evidence in court. She continues to be involved in research pertaining to legal issues in the criminal justice system, including competency to waive Miranda.

 

Education and Degrees Earned

  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University-1980
  • J.D. Law, University of Tulsa-1983
  • Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Tulsa-1997

Areas of Academic Specialty

  • Forensic Psychology
  • Mental Health Disability Law
  • Interface of Law and Psychology 

Areas of Research Focus

  • Competency to Stand Trail
  • Child Custody Evaluations
  • Competency to Waive Miranda

Previous Teaching Experience

  • New York Law School - Mental Health Disability Law Program - 2008 to present
  • Oklahoma State University College of Health Sciences - Forensic Sciences Program - 2002 to present
  • Langston University - 2002 to 2004

Previous Relevant Work Experience

  • Chief of Forensic Psychological Services - Oklahoma Indigent Defense System - 2003  to present
  • Capital Trial Counsel - Oklahoma Indigent Defense System - 2000 to 2003
  • Mental Health Director - David L. Moss Criminal Justice Authority - 1999
  • Staff Forensic Psychologist - Eastern State Hospital - 1996 to 1999
  • Rader Treatment Center - Psychological Assistant - 1990 to 1991
  • City of Tulsa Municipal Public Defender - 1984 to 1987

Relevant Pro Bono Work

  • Volunteer - Legal Aid Servies of Oklahoma - 1984

Professional Affiliations

  • American Psychological Association
  • American Psychology Law Society
  • Phi Kappa Phi
  • Oklahoma Bar Association

 

Courses Taught at TU

  • Mental Health Disability Law (LAW 5012)
  • Forensic Assessment (PSY 7973)
  • Clinical Assessment: Intellect (PSY 7113)
  • Topics in Personality (PSY 7973)

Awards & Recognition

  • 2010 Fern Holland Award-TU Women’s Law Caucus
  • 2003 Premier Volunteer-Volunteers of America Oklahoma
  • 2004 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Distinguised Alumni Award
  • 2004 Great Spirit Award-March of Dimes
  • 1991 Carl Albert Fellowship-State of Oklahoma

Publications

  • The Role of Suggestibility in Determinations of Miranda Abilities: A Study of the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales
    Rogers, R., Harrison, K.S., Rogstad, J.E., LaFortune, K.A., & Hazelwood, L.(2010). Law and Human Behavior, 34(1), 66-78.
  • Excited Delirium Syndrome: Cause of Death and Prevention
    LaFortune, K.A. (2008) Book Reviewer. Jurimetrics, Winter 2008.