Baerger Dana Royce, Griffin Eugene F, Lyons John S, Simmons Ron
Mental Health Services and Policy Program, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2003;31(3):314-20.
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.
随着美国各州立法机构继续允许对更年幼的少年被告进行成人法庭审判，少年受审能力已成为一个在法律和法医层面愈发重要的问题。本研究在一批预审和已提交申请的少年被告样本中考察了受审能力。结果显示，被认定不适合受审的少年比有受审能力的同龄人年龄更小，有更严重的特殊教育需求，且有更广泛的心理健康治疗史。这些结果与该领域先前的研究一致。文中还讨论了对治疗规划和系统改革的启示。
