Article

Trust and understanding in the attorney–juvenile relationship†

  1. Christine Schnyder Pierce Ph.D.‡,*,
  2. Stanley L. Brodsky Ph.D.§

Article first published online: 17 APR 2002

DOI: 10.1002/bsl.478

Issue

Behavioral Sciences & the Law

Behavioral Sciences & the Law

Special Issue: Current Directions

Volume 20, Issue 1-2, pages 89–107, January - April 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Pierce, C. S. and Brodsky, S. L. (2002), Trust and understanding in the attorney–juvenile relationship. Behav. Sci. Law, 20: 89–107. doi: 10.1002/bsl.478

Author Information

  1. Psychological Consulting Service, Inc., 1 Salem Green, Suite 501, Salem, MA 01970, U.S.A.

  1. ‡

    Dr. Schnyder Pierce is a clinical and forensic psychologist with Psychological Consulting Services, Inc., Salem, MA.

  2. §

    Stanley L. Brodky, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at The University of Alabama, where he coordinates the Psychology–Law Ph.D. program.

*Psychological Consulting Service, Inc., 1 Salem Green, Suite 501, Salem, MA 01970, U.S.A.

  1. †

    The authors are indebted to Thomas Grisso, who generously offered helpful comments and suggestions on an earlier draft of this manuscript.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 17 APR 2002
  2. Article first published online: 17 APR 2002

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Abstract

This study investigated whether court-experienced juveniles differ from court-experienced adults in their understanding of the defense counsel role and their trust in attorneys. Court-experienced juveniles and young adults, ages 12 to 20, were compared on measures of trust, attitudes toward authority, understanding about the role of defense counsel, trial-related knowledge, and the Trust in My Lawyer Scale. The findings showed that court-related knowledge is associated with both level of intellectual functioning and age and that court-related misunderstandings are associated with mistrust in attorneys. The findings did not support the assertion that there are significant differences between juveniles and young adults in their trust of their attorneys. Results regarding parental involvement, attorney characteristics, and interaction effects of race and intellectual functioning in relation to trust are also discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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