Facing a court hearing when you are on trial for a criminal offense can be difficult. However, if you are an elderly offender, the experience can be especially trying. In order to prepare yourself for the court hearing, you need to know what the process will be like. In addition, you should understand the special accommodations that can happen for you. These accommodations happen given your age and any disabilities or impairments that you have.
Appearing in Court
If charged with a criminal offense, you will have to make an appearance in court. This is true regardless of your age. For elderly citizens, this can pose special problems. Courthouses are generally busy and you might find it difficult to navigate the courthouse. The hearing itself will pose several challenges. Many lawyers, judges, and jury members don’t have experience working with elderly offenders. These people can easily become irritated if you show up late or feel confused.
Furthermore, you will only receive one short intermission from the hearing. You might find yourself excessively fatigued, inattentive, or confused as the hearing progresses, since you will have to be in court for hours at a time. Many trials are also not resolved in one day. You could have several court hearings over the course of weeks or even months, which might be stressful and difficult for you.
Special Accommodations
In order to avoid this fatigue and stress, special accommodations can happen for elderly defendants. If you must attend one or more court hearings, provide testimony, and receive punishments for your crime, the courtroom and the hearing itself can get tailored to meet your needs. General problems that the elderly face, such as mobility impairment, memory loss, and sensory deprivation, can be combated through preventative measures. For example, if you have impaired vision, the courtroom where your trial takes place can get glare free lighting. In addition, you can be provided with large print paperwork. If you have a hearing impairment, judges and attorneys can accommodate you by maintaining eye contact and speaking clearly and loudly to you.
Problem Solving Center
If you have committed a crime due to a mental illness, you might be able to appear at a special problem-solving center for the elderly. If you are supposed to appear in court, an attorney might refer you to such a center in order to undergo necessary evaluations or medication to ensure that you are fit to stand trial. You should talk to your attorney about the possibility of undergoing an evaluation at one of these problem-solving centers in your area.
As an elderly defendant, you might have special needs that other defendants do not have. For this reason, it is important to hire a Connecticut criminal defense attorney.
