NCJ Number
178966
Journal
Psychology, Public Policy, and Law Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: March 1997 Pages: 3-32
Date Published
1997
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This article examines adolescents’ capacities to participate as defendants in their criminal court trials.
Abstract
The significance of adolescents’ capacities as defendants has increased as a consequence of new laws that promote the transfer of juveniles for trial in criminal court. The article summarizes theories and empirical research findings that bear on the question of adolescents’ capacities to participate as defendants in their criminal court trials. It reviews evidence in four areas: (1) adolescents’ understanding of the legal process; (2) their appreciation of the significance of legal circumstances for their defense; (3) their ability to communicate information to counsel; and (4) their reasoning and judgment in making decisions as defendants. There was a greater risk of impairments in trial competence abilities for adolescents than for adults. The article suggests ways to respond to adolescents who are less prepared to participate in trials. It also recommends policy and law that would increase protections against trying adolescents in criminal court when their trial competence is impaired. References