Introduction
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-5] (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), anyone diagnosed with “autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, or the catch-all diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified” (p. 1) meets the criteria of having an Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD]. Individuals with ASD commonly possess communication deficits and have difficulty in building relationships with peers. Communication deficits include interruptions or inappropriate responses during conversations and misinterpreting nonverbal interactions. These individuals may also develop an overdependence on routines, high sensitivity to environmental change,
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There is still room for improvement when factors, such as assessing whether the individual has ASD and gauging the severity of the ASD, are taken into account.
This essay therefore seeks to discuss the considerations, or lack thereof, given to persons with ASD, during police investigation and the criminal trial process in Singapore. The various viewpoints that will be covered are that of a victim, witness, suspect, and an accused person. This will be explained in terms of how the various individuals have behaviour that will significantly affect the police investigation and criminal trial process. Following that, the considerations that have been given or should have been given will be laid out, with reference to the behaviour impact on the investigation trial process.
Behavioural Impact on Police Investigation and Criminal Trial
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The HASI test makes use of simple puzzles e.g. a maze to allow an Investigation Officer easy identification of a potential PWID. This test is not meant to act as any concrete assessment, but rather to aid the Investigating Officer in deciding whether to refer the individual for further assessment by a professional or to proceed with sensitivity during the interview.
Another consideration is the Appropriate Adult [AA] Scheme that was launched in 2013. As aforementioned, persons with ASD often experience difficulty with regard to communication. Therefore the AA Scheme seeks to address this issue allowing an AA to sit in when a PWID’s statement is being recorded down by the Investigating Officer. The AA’s role is to aid in facilitating the interview, so that the PWID can communicate more effectively with the police officer. This ensures that there is no misunderstanding on either side, and allow the Investigating Officer to record more reliable statements. Another aspect of this scheme is how the AAs are chosen. The criteria l were that AAs should (a) not be family members of the PWID being questioned, (b) have adequate experience in communicating with PWID, and (c) be available when called to attend an
This stage is an examination of potential jurors to ensure a fair trial for the defendant. Ideally, voir dire will result in an impartial jury for the trial of the accused. On March 4, 2004 jury selection began for the trial of Scott Peterson. Nearly 100 potential jurors began answering questionnaires about their views on the death penalty and their opinions on extramarital affairs. The nearly 30-page questionnaire given to prospective jurors also included questions as whether they read Field and Stream, what stickers grace their car bumpers and whether they have lost a child. On April 14, 2004 Judge Alfred A. Delucchi dismissed an unidentified Redwood City woman after a brief meeting in his chambers. Defense attorney Mark Geragos two weeks early had accused the retired secretary of bragging to her friends on a bus trip to Reno, Nevada, that she has "passed the test" to get on Peterson's jury and that Peterson was "guilty as hell" and would "get what's due him." May 28, 2004 six men and six women were selected for Scott Peterson's murder trial all said they would be willing to sentence him to death if they convict him of killing his wife and the couple's fetus.
The criminal justice process and the criminal court system go hand in hand. The criminal justice process is a sequence of events that a person who is accused of a felony will progress through. This process varies from state to state or jurisdiction and varies according to the seriousness of a crime or whether the accused is a juvenile or an adult. Generally, the criminal justice process involves several specific stages; however, not every case will include each stage or even follow a certain sequence. According to Matthew Lippman’s Essential Criminal Law (2014), these stages include:
The author emphasises a unique approach to each individual who falls on the spectrum because each problem can be approached numerous ways to find a proficient solution. The author advocates that each individual experiencing ASD find a program or learning approach that works favorably for them. Siegel denotes that no two educational programs or teaching methods are the same, nor is there any program that is more effective than the other. When choosing a program, one must consider personal ability, necessary accommodations, and whether or not the curriculum is developmentally appropriate.
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavior changes. About “1 in every 110 children (three times as many boys as girls have autism spectrum disorder”. (Stassen, Berger, 2012, pg. 342) When looking for signs of an autism spectrum disorder, there are three you need to look for delayed language, impaired social responses, unusual repetitive, play. Just because a child has autism spectrum disorder does not mean that they are mentally retarded. If a child has autism spectrum disorder, it’s not their looks that set them apart from others. It is difficult for a child who has autism spectrum order to understand emotions of others. They do not want to interact, play, talk with anyone, and are delayed in developing a theory of mind. Rarely smiling, never speaking, a child may play with the same object for hours, these are some of the symptoms a child with autism spectrum disorder may experience. Environmental, biologic and genetics are different factors that make a child more likely to have it. Children are at a higher risk of getting the disorder if they have a sibling who already has it. Autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, and Asperger syndrome are the three main types of autism spectrum disorder. Rett Syndrome, and childhood disintegrative are a rare form and more severe form of Autism Spectrum Disorder. There is no medical test to diagnose a child with autism spectrum disorder,
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that affects a person’s social interaction and communication. This disorder is mainly characterized by having difficulty with social interaction, communication, and having restricted behaviors. Difficulty with social interaction means someone will struggle to communicate their feelings/emotions, understand how others feel or think, develop peer relationships, and understand nonverbal behaviors (eye gaze, facial expressions, etc). Difficulty with communication will vary among the individual. Some individuals will develop expressive language, while others will not. The speech of those that do develop expressive language will often be repetitive, rote, and lack meaning. They may struggle with turn taking in conversation and topic maintenance. Those individuals who do not develop expressive language typically do not use other modalities to communicate, like pointing or gestures. The last characteristic of the autistic spectrum disorder is having repetitive behaviors or activities. Typically children on the spectrum will play with their toys in an unusual manner, or may prefer only one toy, movie, or activity. Changes in daily schedule are hard for children on the spectrum to adapt to; usually these children like the same daily schedule. Bass, Duchowny, and Llabre (2009) state, “It is possible that animal-assisted activities provide a multisensory environment that will prove beneficial to children with profound social and communication deficits.”
The use of evidence and witnesses is a mechanism in which the law attempts to balance the rights of victims and offenders in the criminal trial process. Evidence used in court are bound by the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) and have to be lawfully obtained by the police. The use of evidence and witnesses balance the victims’ rights to a great extent. However, it is ineffective in balancing the rights of offenders. The law has been progressive in protecting the rights of victims in the use and collection of evidence and witness statements. The Criminal Procedure Amendment (Domestic Violence Complainants) Bill 2014, which amends the Criminal Procedure Act 1986, passed the NSW Legislative Council on 18 November 2014. The amendment enables victims of
Autism spectrum disorders, by definition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (or the DSM-IV), are characterized by when a person does not understand social concepts, cannot effectively and efficiently communicate with another person, and/or has a small range of interests or hobbies that may be considered like a fixation or an addiction. (Kids in the Syndrome Mix, page 94) What makes autism really confront the public’s interpretation of a developmental disorder is the spectrum aspect to it. The spectrum makes every autism case completely different from the others. Those one side of the autism spectrum are more severe in the level of impediment than the other, and those in the middle can show qualities of both. (“What is Autism?” Autism Speaks)
The jury plays a crucial role in the courts of trial. They are an integral part in the Australian justice system. The jury system brings ordinary people into the courts everyday to judge whether a case is guilty or innocent. The role of the jury varies, depending on the different cases. In Australia, the court is ran by an adversary system. In this system “..individual litigants play a central part, initiating court action and largely determining the issues in dispute” (Ellis 2013, p. 133). In this essay I will be discussing the role of the jury system and how some believe the jury is one of the most important institutions in ensuring that Australia has an effective legal system, while others disagree. I will evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of a jury system.
Participant(s) were identified as having ASD and were between the ages of 4 and 21
Autism is a form of neurodevelopment disorder in the autism spectrum disorders. It is characterized by impaired development in social interactions and communication, both verbal and non-verbal. There is an observed lack of spontaneous acts of communication; both receptive and expressed, as well as speech impairments. A person diagnosed with Autism will also show a limited range of activities and interests, as well as forming and maintain peer relationships. The individuals will display limited interests, which are often very focused and repetitive. He or she is likely to be very routine oriented and may show behavioral symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggressiveness, and self-injurious behaviors.
The idea of having a criminal law, procedure and a proper court system has been a concern and must in the United States since it was first founded. This concept is always under consistent speculation and undergoes changes almost every year. One of the most influential pieces included into the procedure of criminal law and the court system is the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was created by the representatives of America to not only enforce the idea of substantive law, but also create a framework for the rights of every day Americans. Ever since the creation of the Bill of Rights, there has been a constant need for change laws and procedures in order to accommodate for rights given to each citizen. In this paper, the analysis of the affect of the Bill of Rights will be analyzed as well as the reasons for increased incarceration rates and the issue of plea bargaining.
The topic of capital punishment has been the subject of debate for many years as it should be on the minds of society. A society that seek to found justice for the victim who lost their lives at the hand of another human beings. The critics of capital punishment would argue that the government has over reached it authority and have sought to judge in God stead. However, the advocates of capital punishment will argue that many nations whether modern or ancient has used capital punishment as a method of justice.
Further, a recent research study in Minneapolis revealed similar rates of ASD in some communities such as White (1 in 36) and Somali (1in 32), other racial ethnic groups such as Asian, Native American, and Hispanic were identified at extremely low rates (Hewitt et al, 2013). The ongoing rise of developmental delays and other neurodevelopmental disabilities highlight a significant need for ongoing developmental screening, early diagnosis, and timely early intervention services and supports in culturally and linguistically communities.
Trial procedures are the process of prioritized steps that need to be taken in the action of any committed crime. In my essay I will be explaining the steps that are taken before a trial can proceed and what necessary events must take place. The processes are different in every state and of course the charges differ depending on the level of crime that was committed. Once most people start to vaguely understand that most events in the United States revolve around a modern criminal trial. “Most people may have a blur of knowledge of the goings-on of criminal proceedings” (Ritter).
Just like today, thousands of years ago crime followed humans and was present in any culture. It did not matter where in the world or how advanced the nation was, crime was unavoidable and expected. Societal norms, values, and cultures shape and reflect a countries legal system and how they deal with criminals and punishment. Many past empires and countries have made significant contributions to the formation of modern criminal justice systems around the world. The history of crime and punishment has evolved tremendously over time and can be reflected from sets of ancient laws, harsh punishments, and inequalities of certain groups of people from the past.