Situation: FL. Two young men in a bar. One 25 yrs. and the other 18 yrs. and autistic. The older male starts a fight with a group of drunks after they poke fun at the autistic male. During the scuffle, one of the drunks injures the autistic male with several punches. In retaliation, the autistic male delivers a punch, knocking one of the drunks down to the ground and into a coma.
1. Typically, who would be charged with what crimes?
2. Regarding the autistic young man's charge(s), would his attorney and his clients (the young man's parents) have the option between 1) fighting the charge as self defense or 2) using his autism condition to avoid prosecution. What different options would he have?
3. Would a court-ordered therapist intervene? If so, how much influence would his opinion have? Is there ever situation where the therapist would have final say? Toward the end of the film 'Rain Man,' a court-ordered therapist is used, apparently, to determine the best home for Raymond (Dustin Hoffman). In this case, how much influence does the therapist have? I would really like to know if there is ever a case when the therapist has final say.
Thank you.
Alex
1. Typically, who would be charged with what crimes?
2. Regarding the autistic young man's charge(s), would his attorney and his clients (the young man's parents) have the option between 1) fighting the charge as self defense or 2) using his autism condition to avoid prosecution. What different options would he have?
3. Would a court-ordered therapist intervene? If so, how much influence would his opinion have? Is there ever situation where the therapist would have final say? Toward the end of the film 'Rain Man,' a court-ordered therapist is used, apparently, to determine the best home for Raymond (Dustin Hoffman). In this case, how much influence does the therapist have? I would really like to know if there is ever a case when the therapist has final say.
Thank you.
Alex