Alienist

What does Alienist mean in American Law?

The definition of Alienist in the law of the United States, as defined by the lexicographer Arthur Leff in his legal dictionary is:

A term, now almost wholly obsolete but current at least into the 1930’s, for that kind of physician we would now call a “psychiatrist” or “psychoanalyst” or “analyst,” i.e., a physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental afflictions and diseases.

An alienist means a psychiatrist who is an expert in sanity trial. An alienist usually analyzes a criminal defendant’s capacity to stand trial.

An alienist means a psychiatrist who is an expert in sanity trial. An alienist usually analyzes a criminal defendant’s capacity to stand trial.