Rafael, 16, had left school and quit basketball. While associating with older peers, he had accumulated delinquency charges, escalating from trespassing and possession of burglarious tools to armed robbery. At the Juvenile Court hearing, his attorney wondered whether Rafael understood the legal process and requested a Competency to Stand Trial (CST) evaluation. The Judge referred…
Tag: Competency to Stand Trial (CST)
Bridging the Gap—Helping a Child Understand the Court Process: Manny
Manny, a 14-year-old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), became involved with the Juvenile Court following a domestic assault and battery charge against his mother. She had contacted police during a violent incident at home in which he became aggressive toward her. When he appeared at Juvenile Court, Manny’s court-appointed attorney requested a Competency to Stand…
