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)
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