| Suspects may waive their Miranda rights by providing a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of her rights. Research suggests that young age and low IQ are related to poor comprehension of Miranda rights, but few studies have examined the relationship between mental health disorders and comprehension of Miranda rights in adolescents. The current study examined whether mental health symptoms of 29 delinquent males, on the MAYSI-2 were related to Miranda understanding, appreciation, and overall comprehension, controlling for age and IQ. Thought Disturbance and Suicide Ideation scales were significantly related to scores on the Comprehension of Miranda Rights – Recognition II instrument. Findings are discussed within the context of the study's limitations, including small sample size and the presence of outliers. |
