Children with learning disabilities and their knowledge of the legal system

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the legal knowledge of seven to twelve-year-old children with learning disabilities. This study explored children's legal knowledge by interviewing them with questions that pertained to several aspects of the legal system, including the courtroom, significant courtroom personnel (e.g., judge, jury, attorney, bailiff, and court reporter), reasons for going to court and the types of people who go there and how decisions are made. The results of this study indicated that age was a significant factor, but gender was not. Eleven to twelve-year-olds had greater knowledge of the legal system than seven to ten-year-olds. Results of the questionnaire found that subjects had a general but not definitive knowledge about the legal system. The study also indicated clear deficits in knowledge as well as misconceptions regarding legal personnel and procedures.