Are aspies at a disadvantage in court?

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Greentea
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20 Apr 2008, 1:50 pm

Seeing as we fail to create instinctively positive raport with people, especially those in positions of authority, and seeing as our outlook and way of expressing our views and describing facts is different from the norm, and in many cases we can be proven to be loners and have little connection to the community.


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velodog
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20 Apr 2008, 2:10 pm

I could see where an Aspie could be at a disadvantage relative to some, but not all, other potential defendants. The two Juries that I have served on have taken into account that being in the defendants place is stressful.



BlackMetalIstKrieg
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20 Apr 2008, 3:57 pm

This is why you get a good lawyer.



MinorAnnoyance
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20 Apr 2008, 4:26 pm

In one episode of Bones Dr. Brennan was testifying had a problem getting the jury to listen to her because they though she was cold, so the prosecutor asked her personal questions so the jury could see her as a person.



Tim_Tex
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20 Apr 2008, 4:27 pm

Never had this kind of experience, so I wouldn't know.


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Liverbird
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20 Apr 2008, 4:42 pm

AS people are definitely at a disadvantage when they are in court because of their own selves. Being in a position that you are being asked questions that don't give you time to think is bad. Being asked questions that are not yes or no questions but being expected to answer yes or no is bad. Being put on trial because you are different is bad.

Yeah, it would be good to get a good lawyer, but most of the time, they are unaffordable.


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2ukenkerl
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20 Apr 2008, 5:37 pm

Liverbird wrote:
AS people are definitely at a disadvantage when they are in court because of their own selves. Being in a position that you are being asked questions that don't give you time to think is bad. Being asked questions that are not yes or no questions but being expected to answer yes or no is bad. Being put on trial because you are different is bad.

Yeah, it would be good to get a good lawyer, but most of the time, they are unaffordable.


I hadn't even considered that as a symptom! MAN are you right!



westernwild
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20 Apr 2008, 5:43 pm

Well, as someone who's been in the legal field for quite awhile, I can honestly tell you that anyone who isn't "mainstream" is gonna have some problems in most courtrooms. It's sad and unfortunate, but it's the way it is. Actually, that's the way it is in most areas of life in this country, isn't it? And given the criminalization of most mental illness and the creeping criminalization of neurodiversity, it's only going to get worse, not better.

My husband is a judge and he does his best to take everyone's individuality into account, but the same cannot be said for too many others. We believe he's a mild Aspie, there are many aspects of AS that he doesn't fit, though. My teenage son is an Aspie, officially diagnosed ten years ago, so I know full well, for the most part, who's AS and who isn't. Hubby, if he's AS, is a mild one. He's never actually met with a psychologist or other medical professional in person and been officially diagnosed, though.


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Greentea
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20 Apr 2008, 5:52 pm

wow, that was very interesting to read, an insider's view!


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