Research on Juvenile competency to stand trial

Research on Juvenile competency to stand trial

In the judicial systems, the ability of the courts to deliver just rulings depends on whether the accused is competent to stand trial. An individual is competent to stand trial if he/she understands the charges, is able to participate fully in the defense proceedings and also understands his/ her constitutional rights. In this regard, forensic psychology is a necessity in determining an individual’s competency to stand trial. Through research, experimentation and data analysis; forensic psychologists are able to come up with important theories and policies that are relevant the assessment of juvenile competency to stand trial. Therefore, forensic psychologists are not only involved in the application of clinical psychology to the judicial systems but are key stakeholders in policy making.

In the research by Lawrence Steinberg and Elizabeth Scott on “less guilty by reason of adolescence,” the impacts of child growth and development were widely explored. Steinberg and Scott, in the analysis of the adolescents’ physiology; found that young people acquire unpredictable behaviors due to hormonal imbalance (Steinberg, & Scott, 2003). This prompts them to act irrational hence are susceptible to criminal activities. The research also found that the level of maturity and brain development of the teenagers affect their ability to avoid criminal activities. Steinberg and Scott stated that due to immaturity, adolescents fail to differentiate between normal games and actions that break the law (Steinberg, & Scott, 2003).

Lawrence Steinberg and Elizabeth Scott argued that under the criminal law; less penalties should be imposed when: the actors mind is diminished, coerced or when an individual acts out of character.  In this regard, they suggested that adolescents are not only immature but are also under the effects of hormonal imbalance which impairs their ability to make rational judgment (Steinberg, & Scott, 2003). In addition, they Steinberg and Scott argued that the society expects teenagers to be rebellious to certain norms in the society hence they are not competent to stand trial for petty crimes. Therefore, it would be inhumane and harsh to allow young individuals who unwillingly commit crimes (due to their physiological and psychological development) to be subjected to laws similar to that of adults.

A forensic psychologist can use the Steinberg and Scott research in the analysis of juveniles’ competency to stand trial since the research brought an in-depth understanding of the physiological factors facing adolescents. Through the Scott’s research, forensic psychologists would be able to improvise the competency assessment tools such as the MacArthur competency assessment and the interdisciplinary fitness review so as to suit the conditions of the adolescents. This would enable accurate determination of juveniles’ competency to stand trial since it would incorporate the assessment of maturity levels of the teenagers. Moreover, the Steinberg and Scott research provides the basis for more studies in the area of adolescent susceptibility to crime hence contributing to future policies on juvenile competency to stand trial.

In conclusion, forensic psychologists not only provide scholarly testimonies in the court systems but are also involved in the data research and analysis. Hence, they are essential in the application of the law to different groups in the society. The research by Scott and Steinberg found that adolescents are susceptible to criminal activities due to their physiological and psychological developments. This is as a result of hormonal imbalance and response to some environmental factors. Therefore, using the Steinberg and Scott’s research, forensic psychologists would be able to shape certain policies regarding juvenile competency to stand trial hence ensuring fairness in justice delivery.

Reference list

Steinberg, L,. & Scott,. E. (2003). Less guilty by reason of adolescence. American psychologist journal 58(12)