Current issues in developmental psychology and the law

Legal applications of developmental psychology are an increasingly important research topic. A symposium examined children as witnesses, offenders, and participants in the legal process. Children's reporting of events is affected by long delays, interview format, and motivational factors, and their understanding of the meaning of truth develops prior to their definition of lying. The fairness of the law and its processes shows developmental changes in perceived justice. The process of sentencing shows that extralagl factors such as offender age, gender, and employment status affects the penalties imposed by magistrates.