Abstract
The available information regarding what specific developmental processes
contribute to trial-related deficits in young juvenile defendants is
limited. The current survey of juvenile defense attorneys focused on their
perceptions of a juvenile client who may have been incompetent due to
immaturity. Participants were defense attorneys (*n* = 193, 41.45% female)
with an average of over 11 years of experience working with juvenile
defendants. Attorneys identified a variety of trial-related deficits across
the three *Dusky *components. Attorneys identified developmental factors
that may have impaired these trial-related abilities including abstract
thinking, attention, future orientation, and risk appraisal.