Sharon Kelley, J.D., Ph.D.

Sharon Kelley, JD, PhD, is a forensic psychologist at the University of Virginia’s Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy (ILPPP), and the UVA Forensic Clinic within it. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and an Instructor in the UVA School of Law. Dr. Kelley came to ILPPP after graduating from the law-psychology program at Villanova University School of Law and Drexel University and completing a forensic psychology fellowship at UVA and Western State Hospital. As a forensic psychologist, she performs a range of evaluations for the criminal legal system (e.g., Miranda rights comprehension, competence to stand trial, criminal responsibility, pre-sentencing, re-sentencing of juvenile matters, capital sentencing, violence risk), public safety departments (e.g., pre-employment psychological evaluations, fitness for duty evaluations), and other clients (e.g., universities). As a researcher, Dr. Kelley has co-authored many peer-reviewed scientific publications on topics including forensic mental health assessment, legal competencies of individuals in the criminal legal system, police interactions with persons with mental illness and feedback in forensic mental health assessment.