Traumatic Experiences and Juvenile Amenability: The Role of Trauma in Forensic Evaluations and Judicial Decision Making

Abstract

The legal files of 144 juveniles charged as adults in one Pennsylvania county were reviewed to investigate whether trauma-related information was included in evaluations of amenability to treatment and how that information related to legal decisions to keep youth in criminal court or decertify them to the juvenile system. Potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) were noted in more than 71% of evaluations. Youth with any PTE documented were more likely to remain in criminal court, have more prior arrests, report regular marijuana use, and have mental health diagnoses associated with offending behaviors. Youth with direct (versus witnessed) exposure to PTEs were more likely to have been placed out of home and to be diagnosed with other mental health disorders. However, only 6% of the evaluations specifically recommended treatment for trauma-related issues, and documentation of PTEs was not associated with the ultimate legal decision except in cases involving severe injury.

Prenatal, perinatal, and adolescent exposure to marijuana: Relationships with aggressive behavior

“…Traumatic experiences also predict marijuana use in juvenile offenders (Riggs Romaine, Goldstein, Hunt, & DeMatteo, 2011).…”

Severity of Victimization and Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders Among Substance Using Adolescents

“…Victimization experiences, considered traumatic, have been associated with internalizing problems, such as depression and anxiety (Taylor and Weems 2009) and externalizing problems, for example, violent (Kimonis et al 2011), criminal and deviant behaviors (Kerig et al 2011; Mallie et al 2011; Riggs Romaine et al 2011). However, victimization (Margolin and Gordis 2000; Titus et al 2003) and other adverse experiences (Weems et al 2010) vary based on severity levels and severity of their impact on adolescents.…”

Treating Adolescents with Family-Based Mindfulness

“…Although the youth may have personalized the trauma through guilt, blame, hopelessness, and other aspects of self-concept, his experiences are normalized as acceptance and validation is communicated throughout. Romaine and her colleagues found that although traumatic experiences were found in 71 % of youth cases in the juvenile system, only 6 % of evaluations specifi cally recommended treatment for these and associated issues (Romaine, Goldstein, Hunt, & DeMatteo, 2011 ). Juveniles with a history of trauma who are adjudicated for offending behaviors are more likely to have prior offending, reoffend, abuse substances, and have coexisting mental health disorders.…”