TY - JOUR
T1 - Paying attention to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: An examination of cases in an Australian Supreme Court
AU - Bartels, Lorana
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - About 3-5% of the Australian adult population is estimated to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but this rises to nearly one in five people in prison. This article examines all criminal cases in the Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court in 2021 which mentioned ADHD. The article provides an overview of ADHD and a summary of what has been described as the leading Australian case on this condition. This is followed by a thematic analysis of 32 cases, involving 34 individuals who had, or were suspected to have, ADHD. The key issues identified were the high preponderance of comorbidities; substance use issues; medication used to treat ADHD; cases in which ADHD was suspected, but not confirmed; issues with education; domestic and family violence; and the role of gender. The article considers the implications for the judiciary, legal practitioners, and the justice system more broadly.
AB - About 3-5% of the Australian adult population is estimated to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but this rises to nearly one in five people in prison. This article examines all criminal cases in the Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court in 2021 which mentioned ADHD. The article provides an overview of ADHD and a summary of what has been described as the leading Australian case on this condition. This is followed by a thematic analysis of 32 cases, involving 34 individuals who had, or were suspected to have, ADHD. The key issues identified were the high preponderance of comorbidities; substance use issues; medication used to treat ADHD; cases in which ADHD was suspected, but not confirmed; issues with education; domestic and family violence; and the role of gender. The article considers the implications for the judiciary, legal practitioners, and the justice system more broadly.
U2 - 10.3316/agispt.20221216079872
DO - 10.3316/agispt.20221216079872
M3 - Article
VL - 46
SP - 245
EP - 268
JO - Criminal Law Journal
JF - Criminal Law Journal
IS - 4
ER -