Forensic Consultation
SECOND OPINION ASSESSMENT
Dr. Mann has extensive experience and background in the area of custody
dispute. This began with his doctorial dissertation completed in 1984 on
“Children’s Adjustment to Divorce as Related to Sole and Joint Custody.”
He did his dissertation with the Orange County Courts. Dr. Mann was the
only private practitioner to serve on a committee with several judges and
mediators who developed Orange County’s current Parenting Plan Guidelines parenting.pdf.
These guidelines are for custody and visitation to assist families, mediators,
judges, and evaluators. They are distributed to every individual that is
in a custody dispute who requires mediation with the Orange County Courts
in California.
Dr. Mann has reviewed well over 200 Child Custody Reports by other experts. As a Second Opinion Expert, Dr. Mann frequently uncovers significant flaws in previous custody evaluations and he provides concrete ideas and solutions. When Dr. Mann is retained as an Expert Witness, he will do the following:
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Initial Review: Dr. Mann conducts an initial review of the custody evaluation to determine whether the conclusion of the report meets the needs of the children which is consistent with the facts and evidence in the body of the report. He will then have a consultation with the attorney regarding the work product. He will examine the report for compliance with CA Rules of Court 5.220, American Psychological Association Guidelines, and Association of Family and Conciliation Court Guidelines.
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Plan of Action: Developing a plan of action that could include: a) negotiation strategy; b) client preparation; c) case preparation, including identification of important documents and witnesses; d) assist in gathering records, documents that need to be read and reviewed; and e) assist in deposition and trial strategy and preparation.
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Dr. Mann often assists the attorneys in preparing questions for trial and depositions and may assist the attorney at court and at deposition hearings.
Dr. Mann has a strong and powerful success as an Expert Witness. He has testified in trials and has been deposed as an Expert Witness. Dr. Mann has read and analyzed well over 75 entire files and records that were subpoenaed. Dr. Mann has been highly successful in assisting and resolving cases when possible, as well as, dealing with these defective cases without having to go to court.
Dr. Mann’s Expert Witness Service in custody cases focuses on the work
product. Dr. Mann is not able to make recommendations as to
best interest
under
these circumstances, since he did not interview all the parties, nor was
he assigned the task to be a Child Custody Evaluator.
RELOCATION ISSUES IN CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTE CONSULTATION
Relocation issues are very difficult and challenging not only for the parents
but the court. Dr. Mann is very experienced in national and international
relocation cases in helping attorneys and their clients insure the best
interest of the children involved in these often heart-breaking cases.
Dr. Mann clearly understands the current research and views concerning
relocation. The LaMusage factors are carefully examined by Dr. Mann.
The court must proceed on the assumption that a parent who is making
the request to relocate will relocate regardless of whether the court
grants or denies the request. It is Dr. Mann”s belief regarding relocation
cases, that the court is making a determination which is the least detrimental
residential placements for the child. Dr. Mann has been involved in over
200 relocation cases. He finds that many times the child’s interest is
lost in the parents’ needs, taking priority of the needs of the child.
The evaluators most often fail to do an analysis of the impact on the
child from being away from either parent for a lengthy period of time
as to long and short term effect. They fail to assess how recent changes
have and may have an impact on the child’s sense of security. Dr. Mann
can provide parents and attorneys insight and direction on how to proceed
in these complex and difficult cases.
Dr. Mann has extensive experience in relocation cases both nationally and internationally.
PREPARATION FOR CHILD CUSTODY EVALUATION/PARENTING PLAN
Dr. Mann has conducted over 1500 Child Custody Evaluations, giving Dr. Mann invaluable insight into what custody evaluators are looking for. Dr. Mann guides the client (parent) through the custody process as well as providing guidance on how to present themselves to the evaluator. In addition, Dr. Mann helps the client frame their concerns and information, to the evaluator, in a credible and cohesive manner.
PARENT/CHILD CONTACT PROBLEMS (RESIST AND REFUSE CONTACT ISSUES)
Dr. Mann has extensive experience in helping families and courts solve issues when children are reluctant to have a relationship with one of the parents. These cases are extraordinarily complex and often have multifactorial causes. Some factors may involve fear and safety, lack of parenting skills, past trauma, parent alienating behavior and witnessing high conflict. Dr. Mann helps assess the issues and formulate a treatment plan often resulting in healthy and positive parent-child relationships.
CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATION IN CUSTODY CASES
The Fourth Appellate District Court stated Dr. David J. Mann is a highly
qualified expert on child sexual abuse. Dr. Mann is an expert in children’s
memory and suggestibility. He was chair of SCAN which was the sexual
child abuse network in Orange County. Dr. Mann provided training and
education at workshops for Judges and Attorneys in understanding abuse.
Dr. Mann was Medical Director of Charter Hospital of Mission Viejo where
he developed a treatment model for children who have been victims of
abuse. The courts would request Dr. Mann to evaluate custody cases, where
there were issues of child abuse during a child custody evaluation, because
of his expertise. Dr. Mann has testified in Criminal Court, Family Court
and Juvenile Court regarding child abuse allegations. Dr. Mann provides
consultation and assistance to attorneys in how to proceed in these complex
and difficult cases.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALLEGATION IN CUSTODY CASES
In custody court litigation approximately 30% or more of these cases involve
allegations of coercive controlling violence (CCV). Dr. Mann is an expert
on Domestic Violence and has taught the required classes that are mandated
that child custody evaluators take annually. Dr. Mann first became involved
in domestic violence in 1981 when he worked at women shelters in Long
Beach, CA with Charter Hospital and the Norwalk/Lakewood Sheriff’s department.
Dr. Mann was appointed by a Family Court Judicial Officer to be a member
of the Orange County Family Violence Council on which Dr. Mann served.
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior where one or both partners
try to control or manipulate the other through fear and intimidation.
This pattern can be of emotional abuse, physical gestures, financial
control, verbal abuse or physical abuse. Most often there is a primary
aggressor but on occasion it may be bi-directional. Dr. Mann has found
the allegations of domestic violence are often used as a weapon to try
to gain custody during custody litigation. Dr. Mann has also found that
the use of threats and intimidations is often done covertly with threats
of gestures and emotional abuse that are often missed in child custody
evaluations by evaluators because they have not dug deep enough or failed
to understand the real dynamics CCV. The studies are clear that children
who witness domestic violence are negatively affected by this
pattern of behavior which can lead to major psychological problems as
children and as adults. Dr. Mann’s knowledge and experience in this area
is extremely helpful to attorneys and clients when reviewing Custody
Reports to insure these issues were properly evaluated and assessed.
Dr. Mann can be reached for further information for this service by phone
or E-mail.
10.17.23
