Not every confession is what it appears to be. Interrogation conditions, developmental and cognitive vulnerabilities, and specific questioning techniques can all bear on whether a statement was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. Dr. Maddux consults and testifies on the psychological factors relevant to disputed and retracted confessions.
His work addresses Miranda comprehension and waiver competency — the capacity to understand and knowingly waive one’s rights; interrogative suggestibility — measured susceptibility to leading, pressure, and misinformation; coercion and situational risk factors, including interrogation length, tactics, and conditions in light of the false-confession research; and individual vulnerability factors such as youth, intellectual disability, and mental illness.
Dr. Maddux’s broader expertise in trauma, development, and vulnerability informs the evaluation of susceptibility during interrogation. Analyses are tied to the interrogation record and the peer-reviewed literature, and prepared to meet Rule 702 standards.
Contact Dr. Maddux to discuss a disputed-confession matter.
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