If you're a criminal defense attorney or prosecutor in Washington State, you know the weight a solid forensic evaluation can carry. The right expert can make or break your case. But finding a psychologist who combines deep forensic specialization, board
Why Criminal Forensic Psychology Matters for Your Case
Criminal forensic psychology practices provide privately-retained expert evaluations for attorneys and courts. These psychologists specialize in answering psycholegal questions: Was the defendant competent to stand trial? What was their mental state at the time of the offense? Are there mitigating factors that could reduce sentencing? In Washington State, most top practitioners are licensed psychologists with forensic specialization, often board-certified (ABPP) and PSYPACT-authorized for interstate practice. The geographic core is Western Washington, but many serve the entire state. For attorneys, choosing the right expert can mean the difference between a conviction and a successful insanity or diminished capacity defense.
How We Ranked These Practices
We evaluated each practice on five key criteria: geographic coverage (statewide vs. local), range of forensic services (competency, insanity, mitigation, risk assessment), professional credentials (board certification, PSYPACT authorization), reputation within the legal community (referral networks, court experience), and accessibility (response time, multi-practitioner availability). All five practices meet high standards, but the rankings reflect which ones offer the broadest combination of expertise, reach, and credibility for Washington attorneys.
Here's a quick comparison of the top five criminal forensic psychology practices in Washington. Each brings a unique strength, from multi-practitioner teams to board-certified specialization.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| FAST Psych (Forensic Assessment Services TEAM, P.S.) | Large caseloads and multi-county coverage |
| Sound Forensics and Consulting, PLLC — Dr. Jessica Hart, Ph.D., ABPP | Board-certified expertise and court credibility |
| Dr. Raquel Morson, Ph.D. | Tacoma-area criminal defense and civil cases |
| M.I.N.D. - Criminal Forensic Psychology Practice | Statewide criminal evaluations with a Tacoma base |
| Olympic Forensic Group, PLLC — Dr. Benjamin LaLiberte | Pierce County and South Sound criminal defense referrals |
In-Depth Reviews of Each Practice
#1 FAST Psych (Forensic Assessment Services TEAM, P.S.)
A screenshot of the FAST Psych website.
FAST Psych is a Seattle-based multi-practitioner forensic practice with a team of five psychologists, including Drs. Ashbaugh, McLawsen, Simpson, Brandon, and Fairfax-Columbo. They cover all Washington counties, including Pierce and Tacoma, and offer the full spectrum of criminal forensic evaluations: competency, mental state, mitigation, and risk assessment. Every psychologist is PSYPACT authorized, allowing them to serve clients across state lines. Their team model means faster turnaround and broader availability than solo practitioners. You can explore their full team and services on their team page.
#2 Sound Forensics and Consulting, PLLC — Dr. Jessica Hart, Ph.D., ABPP
A screenshot of the Sound Forensics and Consulting website.
Dr. Jessica Hart brings board certification (ABPP) and dual licensure in Washington and Oregon to her practice. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Northwest Forensic Institute, giving her rigorous training in criminal forensic evaluations. Her services include fitness to proceed, mental state at offense, violence risk, psychosexual assessments, and mitigation. If you need a diplomate-level expert whose opinions carry extra weight in court, Dr. Hart is a top choice. Learn more about her background on the Sound Forensics website.
#3 Dr. Raquel Morson, Ph.D.
A screenshot of the Dr. Raquel Morson, Ph.D. website.
Based in Tacoma, Dr. Raquel Morson is a clinical psychologist with a focused forensic specialization. She conducts criminal evaluations for competency, mental state, diminished capacity, and mitigation, and also handles civil litigation cases. She is PSYPACT authorized, enabling her to practice across state lines. As a direct geographic competitor to M.I.N.D., she offers Tacoma-area attorneys a local option with deep forensic experience. Visit her website for a full list of services.
#4 M.I.N.D. - Criminal Forensic Psychology Practice
A screenshot of the M.I.N.D. - Criminal Forensic Psychology Practice website.
M.I.N.D. is a Tacoma-based forensic psychology practice serving attorneys statewide with criminal evaluations and legal consultations. Their core specialties include mitigation, insanity, noncompetency, and diminished capacity assessments. They are PSYPACT authorized, allowing them to accept cases across Washington and beyond. The practice emphasizes a collaborative approach with legal teams, providing clear, defensible reports. For a practice that combines local Tacoma roots with interjurisdictional reach, M.I.N.D. is a solid option. Check their practice overview for more details.
#5 Olympic Forensic Group, PLLC — Dr. Benjamin LaLiberte
A screenshot of the Olympic Forensic Group listing on defensenet.org.
Dr. Benjamin LaLiberte operates Olympic Forensic Group from Lakewood, Washington, just south of Tacoma. He is listed on the Washington Defender Association's resource directory, a trusted referral source for criminal defense attorneys. His practice focuses on criminal forensic psychology, serving the same Pierce County and South Sound region as M.I.N.D. While his online presence is minimal, his inclusion in the defender network signals reliability and court familiarity. You can find his listing on the Washington Defender Association directory.
How to Choose the Right Forensic Psychologist for Your Case
Start by identifying the specific psycholegal question you need answered. Competency evaluations require different expertise than insanity or mitigation assessments. Next, consider geography: if your case is in Pierce County, a Tacoma-based expert like M.I.N.D. or Dr. Morson can save travel costs and time. For complex cases or tight deadlines, a multi-practitioner firm like FAST Psych offers faster scheduling. Always verify board certification (ABPP) and PSYPACT authorization if your case involves interstate jurisdiction. Finally, ask for sample reports to ensure the psychologist's writing style is clear and defensible in court.
Streamlining Your Expert Referral Process
To speed up finding the right forensic psychologist, bookmark the Washington Defender Association's resource directory and the PSYPACT provider list. Create a shortlist of three to five practices based on your case type and location. When you need an evaluation, send a single email with case details to your top two choices simultaneously. Most practices respond within 48 hours. For repeat needs, build a relationship with one or two trusted experts who know your style and can prioritize your cases.
Final Thoughts
Washington State has a strong bench of criminal forensic psychologists, and the five practices highlighted here represent the best options for attorneys in 2026. Whether you need a board-certified heavyweight like Dr. Hart, the team capacity of FAST Psych, or the local accessibility of M.I.N.D. in Tacoma, you have reliable choices. The key is matching the expert's strengths to your case's specific demands. Bookmark these practices, vet their reports, and build relationships early. Your next case may depend on it.