Caught in the Web of the Criminal Justice System : Autism, Developmental Disabilities, and Sex Offenses

J D

ISBN 10: 1785927132 / ISBN 13: 9781785927133

Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers Jun 2017, 2017

About this Item

Neuware - Unjust sex offense laws result in draconian punishment and public shaming, and even those with autism and other developmental disabilities are caught in the web of our continually expanding sex offense legal regime. Investigating the public hysteria over sex offenses, this book highlights the ways our legal system has been infused with politics and panic, and fails to protect those with developmental disabilities who pose little threat to society, or lack a core understanding as to why their actions break the law. Proposing an informed and compassionate way forward based on research and evidence-based sentencing, experts from the fields of law, ethics, psychology and sociology explore what steps should be taken in order to ensure that even those charged with crimes that elicit emotional responses, such as sex offenses, receive justice.

Seller Inventory # 9781785927133

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Caught in the Web of the Criminal Justice System : Autism, Developmental Disabilities, and Sex Offenses
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Jun 2017
• Publication Date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1785927132
• ISBN 13: 9781785927133
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 226W x 152H x 18D millimeters 226 millimeters width by 152 millimeters height by 18 millimeters depth
• Weight: 476 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Increasing numbers of people with autism and other developmental disabilities are being convicted of sex offences, resulting in draconian and public punishment. Yet even when evidence shows that people with these conditions often pose little threat to society, or lack a core understanding as to why their actions break the law, the "sex offender legal regime" doesn't allow any room to take the disability into account.

This ground-breaking book offers a multi-disciplinary examination of how unjust sex offense laws trap vulnerable groups such as those with developmental disabilities. Drawing on research, empirical evidence and including case studies, experts from the fields of law, ethics, psychology and sociology explore what steps should be taken in order to ensure that laws are just and take into consideration factors such as the vulnerability of the perpetrators. Investigating the consequences caused by public hysteria over sex offenses, this book highlights the judicial failure to protect defendants with developmental disabilities in the context of the unjust and hyper-punishment of all those charged with sex offenses. Proposing a new way forward based on research and evidence-based sentencing for sex offenses, and elimination of the sex offender registry, this book offers an informed and compassionate view that is essential for all professionals working in this field.

About the Authors

Nick Dubin was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in 2004. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Oakland University, a Master's Degree in Learning Disabilities from the University of Detroit Mercy, and a Specialist Degree in Psychology and Psy.D. from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology. He has authored many books on autism spectrum disorders including 'Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety', also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Nick lives in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan.

Tony Attwood, PhD, is a clinical psychologist from Brisbane, Australia, with over 30 years of experience with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. He is currently Adjunct Professor at Griffith University in Queensland.