The impact of juveniles' ages and levels of psychosocial maturity on judges' opinions about adjudicative competence |
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Authors: | Cox Jennifer Mayer Goldstein Naomi E S Dolores John Zelechoski Amanda D Messenheimer Sharon |
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Institution: | Drexel University, Apt. 4, Chattahoochee, FL 32324, USA. jen_mayer@hotmail.com |
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Abstract: | This study investigated whether defendants' ages and levels of psychosocial maturity would affect judges' ratings of juveniles' adjudicative competence in juvenile and criminal court. Three hundred forty two judges reviewed a forensic psychological report about a hypothetical defendant; only the defendant's age (12-17) and maturity level (mature, immature) varied across reports. Results revealed a main effect of age, with older juveniles generally deemed more competent, and a main effect of maturity, with mature juveniles generally deemed more competent. No interaction was found. Results suggest that age and maturity play major roles in judicial determinations of juvenile competency. |
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