PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Baerger, DR
AU  - Griffin, EF
AU  - Lyons, JS
AU  - Simmons, R
TI  - Competency to stand trial in preadjudicated and petitioned juvenile defendants
DP  - 2003 Sep 01
TA  - Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
PG  - 314--320
VI  - 31
IP  - 3
4099  - http://jaapl.org/content/31/3/314.short
4100  - http://jaapl.org/content/31/3/314.full
SO  - J Am Acad Psychiatry Law2003 Sep 01; 31
AB  - 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.