Competency to stand trial in preadjudicated and petitioned juvenile defendants.
As state legislatures across the United States continue to permit younger juvenile defendants to be tried in adult court, juvenile competence to stand trial has become an issue of increasing legal and forensic significance. This study examined competency to stand trial in a sample of preadjudicated and petitioned juvenile defendants. Results revealed that juveniles deemed unfit to stand trial were younger than their competent counterparts, had more severe special education needs, and had more extensive mental health treatment histories. These results are consistent with those of prior research in this area. Implications for treatment planning and system reform are discussed.
Baerger
Dana Royce
DR
Mental Health Services and Policy Program, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. d-baerger@northwestern.edu
Griffin
Eugene F
EF
Lyons
John S
JS
Simmons
Ron
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry; D003415:Crime / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D003416:Criminal Law; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D014481:United States