Characteristics of a Mentally Retarded Offender

We gratefully acknowledge the state of New York for providing this documentation.

MAY NOT COMMUNICATE AT AGE LEVEL

• Limited vocabulary; may have speech defecit.

• Difficulty understanding or answering questions.

• Inability to read or write.

• Mimics responses or answers.

MAY NOT BEHAVE AT AGE LEVEL

• Prefers younger persons (children) for friends.

• Inappropriate interactions with peers or opposite sex.

• Easily influenced by and anxious to please others.

• Difficulty making change, using telephone, telling time, etc.

• Low frustration tolerance.

MAY NOT UNDERSTAND CONSQUENCES OF SITUATIONS

• Doesn't appreciate seriousness of situations.

• May not reflect on actions; acts impulsively.

• May try to please others and disregard legality of actions.

• A follower, not initiator of criminal activity.

MAY NOT BEHAVE APPROPRIATELY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SITUATIONS

• May not understand rights.

• May be overly willing to confess.

• Difficulty recalling facts or details of offense.

• Tendency to be overwhelmed by police authority.

• May not want disability to be noticed.

• Say what he thinks others want to hear.

We gratefully acknowledge the state of New York for providing us with this material.