Based on Grisso and Colleague's Competency Study, Should We Assume

question 75

Multiple Choice

Based on Grisso and colleague's competency study, should we assume a 15-year-old is definitely more competent than a mentally ill adult who has been found not competent to stand trial? What about a 13-year-old?

• A) No, about 1/5 of 14- to 15-year-olds and about 1/3 of 13 and younger children are likely to be found to be as impaired in their abilities to stand trial as mentally ill adults who have been determined to be not competent to stand trial.
• B) The 15-year-old is definitely more competent to stand trial than a mentally ill adult; however, it is likely that the 13-year-old would be as impaired in her ability as a mentally ill adult.
• C) Both adolescents are likely to be more competent than a mentally ill adult who has been determined to be not competent.
• D) The results from the Grisso study cannot be used to predict whether a 15- or 13-year-old would be competent to stand trial.

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