title: Presser - the forgotten story.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Regina v Presser [1958] VR 45, is the most seminal case regarding fitness to plead for accused persons in Australia and New Zealand. It is not widely understood that Presser was a 14-year-old boy with intellectual disability. We aim to describe a clearer narrative regarding Edward John Presser.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of attainable newspaper reports framed within an historical context of fitness and relevant case law.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Presser's narrative is described in greater detail than previously understood by clinicians and lawyers. Ramifications for fitness assessment are discussed including doli incapax and human rights considerations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Presser criteria are widely applied; however, the case involved a 14-year-old boy with intellectual disability. Greater awareness of Presser's narrative assists clinicians providing expert evidence regarding fitness to plead for adolescents and persons with intellectual disability.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, Adolescent Unit, The Forensic Hospital, Sydney, NSW, and; Conjoint Lecturer UNSW; Visiting Fellow ANU, Justice Health, NSW Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia johnkas@med.usyd.edu.au.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kasinathan
authors.affiliation: Consultant Psychiatrist, Conjoint Lecturer UNSW, Justice Health, NSW Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Joey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Le
authors.affiliation: Consultant Psychiatrist, Visiting Fellow ANU, Forensic Mental Health Services, ACT Health, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.affiliation: Psychologist, Forensic Mental Health Services, ACT Health, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sharp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D044362:Australasia; D006806:Human Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007298:Insanity Defense; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
keywords: Presser criteria; adolescents; fitness to be tried; fitness to plead; intellectual disability