MGH Center for Law, Brain & Behavior

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MGH Center for Law, Brain & Behavior

The MGH Center for Law, Brain, and Behavior works to transform law and criminal justice through the use of accurate, actionable neuroscience.

The mission of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Law, Brain & Behavior (CLBB) is to transform law and criminal justice through the use of accurate, actionable neuroscience. Brain science in the 21st century debunks pervasive myths about mental states that have kept American Law anchored in 18th century science and injustices. Criminal law is all about mental states and all too often re

lies on antiquated concepts of the human mind that perpetuate unjust, unsupported and racially biased practices regarding crime and punishment. Advances in neuroscience—the study of the brain and central nervous system—offer an unprecedented world of opportunity to reset these assumptions. CLBB trains lawyers, judges and court officers who directly shape how the system works. Its faculty write and disseminate briefs and white papers, and give testimony and consult with lawyers and judges in criminal defense cases. We also forge partnerships to mount bold demonstration projects, for example, a sentencing diversion program for youth or the development of protocols for capacity determinations with investment fiduciaries.

09/01/2026

🧠 Rethinking Justice Through the Lens of Brain Science

A free four-part webinar series from the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior (CLBB) and the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) begins tomorrow!

The first session, The Developing Brain on Trial: Updates on Juvenile and Young Adult Justice, takes place on Wednesday, September 2 from 3–4 p.m. ET.

Led by Robert Kinscherff, PhD, JD, Executive Director of the MGH Center for Law, Brain & Behavior and Professor at William James College, the session will explore what current neuroscience tells us about brain development, impulse control, judgment, foresight, and young people's capacity for change. The discussion will also examine the implications of this research for mitigation, sentencing, plea bargaining, and juvenile and young adult sentencing case law.

The series continues September 9, 23, and 30 with sessions exploring trauma and memory, addiction, and cognitive decline and the financial exploitation of older adults.

Designed for attorneys, social workers, mitigation specialists, investigators, judges, policymakers, and other justice system professionals, the series bridges the gap between research and practice, offering practical insights into how current science can inform legal advocacy and justice system responses.

Register for tomorrow's session or the full series. Registration is free: https://my.nlada.org/events/event-registration/?id=e8a6a357-a38a-f111-9b47-6045bd7fc845

08/26/2026

🧠 Rethinking Justice Through the Lens of Brain Science
📅 September 2, 9, 23 & 30 | 3–4 p.m. ET

CLBB's free four-part webinar series with the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) begins next week!

This series will explore the growing body of neuroscience and behavioral science research that is reshaping our understanding of human behavior and its implications for legal advocacy, client-centered practice, and justice system responses.

The first session, The Developing Brain on Trial: Updates on Juvenile and Young Adult Justice, takes place on September 2 from 3–4 p.m. ET.

Designed for attorneys, social workers, mitigation specialists, investigators, judges, policymakers, and other justice system professionals, each session will bridge research and practice and offer practical insights that can inform representation, decision-making, and policy.

Join us for one session or the entire series. Registration is free: https://my.nlada.org/events/event-details/?id=e8a6a357-a38a-f111-9b47-6045bd7fc845&reload=timezone

08/17/2026

The Boston Globe recently featured the work of CLBB Affiliate, Dr. Abigail Judge, highlighting her efforts to support women experiencing trafficking, substance use, and homelessness at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard in Boston.

Dr. Judge is a clinical and forensic psychologist who cofounded the nonprofit Boston Human Exploitation Advocacy Team (HEAT). Through street outreach and a nighttime safe space, HEAT provides support to women experiencing sexual exploitation and substance use. The article describes HEAT’s use of wristbands bearing the names of women who have died from overdose or homicide. HEAT’s private cellphone numbers are tucked inside, allowing women to call for help at any hour.

Read the Boston Globe feature, “Inside the lifeline for trafficked women at Mass. and Cass,” here: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/13/metro/inside-the-lifeline-for-trafficked-women-at-mass-and-cass/

08/13/2026

🧠 Rethinking Justice Through the Lens of Brain Science

What if some of the justice system's most common assumptions about behavior, memory, addiction, and decision-making are wrong?

Join the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior (CLBB) and the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) for a free four-part webinar series exploring the growing body of neuroscience and behavioral science research that is reshaping our understanding of human behavior and its implications for legal advocacy, client-centered practice, and justice system responses.

📅 September 2, 9, 23, & 30 | 3–4 p.m. ET

The series will explore:
• Adolescent brain development and young adult justice
• Trauma, memory, and their implications for legal proceedings
• The science of addiction and its implications for practice and policy
• Cognitive decline and the financial exploitation of older adults

Designed for attorneys, social workers, mitigation specialists, investigators, judges, policymakers, and other justice system professionals, the series bridges the gap between research and practice. Participants will gain practical insights into how brain development, trauma, addiction, and cognitive functioning influence behavior, decision-making, and legal outcomes across the lifespan.

Whether advocating for a client, developing mitigation evidence, evaluating service needs, or shaping policy, attendees will leave better equipped to apply current scientific knowledge in ways that strengthen representation, improve outcomes, and promote a more fair, effective, and humane justice system.

🔗 Learn more and register for free here: https://my.nlada.org/events/event-details/?id=e8a6a357-a38a-f111-9b47-6045bd7fc845&reload=timezone

08/06/2026

The CLBB NeuroLaw Library's newest module, Trauma and the Legal System, translates the science of trauma into accessible, practical information for attorneys, judges, policymakers, clinicians, and others working within the legal system. Drawing on advances in neuroscience and psychology, the module explores how trauma can affect brain function, behavior, and legal decision-making while providing evidence-based resources to support trauma-informed legal practice. It is available for free at https://clbbneurolawlibrary.com/trauma-and-the-legal-system

08/03/2026

The CLBB NeuroLaw Library's newest module, Trauma and the Legal System, translates the science of trauma into accessible, practical information for attorneys, judges, policymakers, clinicians, and others working within the legal system. Drawing on advances in neuroscience and psychology, the module explores how trauma can affect brain function, behavior, memory, and legal decision-making while providing evidence-based resources to support trauma-informed practice. It is available for free at https://clbbneurolawlibrary.com/trauma-and-the-legal-system

07/27/2026

The new Trauma and the Legal System module within the CLBB NeuroLaw Library includes a free, eight-lesson educational video course exploring critical intersections between addiction and the American legal system. Emphasizing evidence-based approaches to recovery and reducing harmful substance use, this comprehensive course aims to equip legal professionals, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone involved in the legal system with the knowledge and skills needed to best serve people with substance use disorders.

Explore Understanding Addiction and the Legal System, along with a database of more than 600 curated scientific articles and cases and practical toolkits pertaining to addiction and recovery, for free at https://clbbneurolawlibrary.com/course/course-three

07/21/2026

Introducing the new Trauma and the Legal System module within the MGH Center for Law, Brain & Behavior (CLBB) NeuroLaw Library.

Trauma is prevalent within the legal system, but its effects are often overlooked. Research shows that trauma can alter brain structure and function in ways that affect judgment, emotion regulation, impulse control, and memory, while some legal practices may themselves cause lasting psychological and neurological harm.

The Trauma and the Legal System module translates advances in the neuroscience of trauma into practical guidance so judges, attorneys, and legal professionals can make more effective, trauma-informed decisions.

Explore a curated database of hundreds of scientific articles and legal cases as well as concise educational videos from subject matter experts to support legal decision-making grounded in the science of trauma.

View the module here: https://clbbneurolawlibrary.com/trauma-and-the-legal-system

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Cambridge, MA

Website

https://clbb.mgh.harvard.edu/

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