Aging and the Criminal Legal System

This book examines issues specific to older adults within the criminal legal system.

As the population of older adults continues to grow, so does the need to address the unique legal and psychological challenges related to this demographic. This book brings the latest behavioral science research to bear in examining the issues specific to the developmental aging process and older adults across the criminal legal system as a whole.

Topics covered include:

• stereotypes and misconceptions about older age
• prevention and intervention with older populations at various intercepts of the legal system
• older adults as victims of, eyewitnesses to, or perpetrators of crime
• assessing older adults in the court system and in correctional facilities
• issues in sentencing
• reentry into the community, and
• conducting research with older adults within the criminal legal system.

This timely volume presents a call to researchers and scholars across disciplines (law, psychology, gerontology, sociology, social work, and related fields) to work together to improve understanding of, treatment for, and care for this population.

Series Foreword
Monica K. Miller

Preface: Purpose and Background of This Book

Introduction: Aging and the Law: Theoretical Foundations

Part I. Roles of Older Adults in the Criminal Legal System

• Chapter 1. Issues in Aging and the Criminal Legal System 
• Chapter 2. Older Adults as Legal Decision Makers
• Chapter 3. Older Adults as Victims of Crime
• Chapter 4. Older Adults as Eyewitnesses
• Chapter 5. Older Adults as Perpetrators of Crime

Part II. Aging and Criminal Legal System Stages

• Chapter 6. Involvement With Law Enforcement and the Courts
• Chapter 7. Forensic Evaluation of Older Adults in Criminal Cases
• Chapter 8. Older Adults in the Correctional System: “Aging in Prison”
• Chapter 9. Reduce, Resentence, Release, and Prepare for Reentry: Legal Responses to Aging in Prison
• Chapter 10. Next Steps: Expanding Legal Responses to Older Adults

Epilogue

Suggested Further Reading

References

Index

About the Authors

Lindsey E. Wylie, JD, PhD, is a senior court research associate at the National Center for State Courts and adjunct faculty at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Her research evaluates the consequences of legal system involvement for special populations, to inform state courts in developing practical and innovative evidence-informed practices, processes, and policies.

Eve M. Brank, JD, PhD, is the Aaron Douglas Professor of Psychology, Courtesy Professor of Law, and Director of the Center on Children, Families, and the Law at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her research primarily focuses on the way the law intervenes (and sometimes interferes) in family and personal decision making.