Assessing fitness for trial in a Children's Court

Abstract

In 2016, Queensland introduced changes to mental health legislation, providing additional powers to Magistrates in relation to soundness of mind and fitness for trial. This article explores the application of fitness for trial to young people in the Magistrate's Court. It begins with a discussion of fitness for trial broadly, exploring issues with the current legal test, and discusses the unique application of the test in Queensland. By highlighting the inherent vulnerabilities of young people involved in the legal system, we identify the gaps and challenges of assessing fitness for trial with this population. In conclusion we recommend further exploration of alternative models for resolving questions of fitness for trial for young people involved in the criminal justice system. (© 2021 Forensic Child and Youth mental health service Queensland.)eCollection. Cited Medium: Print. NLM ISO Abbr: Psychiatr Psychol Law. PubMed Central ID: PMC9225795. Linked References: Psychol Bull. 1989 May;105(3):387-96. (PMID: 2660180); Int J Law Psychiatry. 2019 May - Jun;64:238-249. (PMID: 31122635); Psychiatr Psychol Law. 2016 Aug 31;24(2):191-204. (PMID: 31983948); Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2009;5:459-85. (PMID: 19327037); Int J Law Psychiatry. 1996 Winter;19(1):39-59. (PMID: 8929658); Assessment. 2003 Dec;10(4):344-51. (PMID: 14682480); Law Hum Behav. 2012 Feb;36(1):21-7. (PMID: 22471382); J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2015 Sep;43(3):329-39. (PMID: 26438811); Law Hum Behav. 2003 Aug;27(4):333-63. (PMID: 12916225); J Law Med. 2014 Jun;21(4):747-61. (PMID: 25087357); Psychiatr Psychol Law. 2017 Nov 27;25(3):374-385. (PMID: 31984026); Psychiatr Psychol Law. 2018 Oct 14;26(3):375-384. (PMID: 31984083); Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2005;1:67-89. (PMID: 17716082); Psychol Assess. 2005 Dec;17(4):433-45. (PMID: 16393010); J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 1999;27(1):65-73. (PMID: 10212027); J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2001;29(4):427-37. (PMID: 11785614); Law Hum Behav. 2005 Dec;29(6):723-42. (PMID: 16382358). Linking ISSN: 13218719. Subset: PubMed not MEDLINE; Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jun 02. Current Imprints: Publication: <2009->: Abingdon, Oxon, UK : Taylor & Francis; Original Imprints: Publication: [Melbourne, Vic.] : Australian Academic Press, c1994- <br />