Has anyone faced legal consequences for being autistic?

Post Reply New Topic

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13498461

I'm thinking of a case like this where the government apparently can step in and order an adult around, obviously it will depend on how functional you are but it is scary. I remember a poster here once mentioning in their country those diagnosed as LFA or HFA could not legally drive?

Anyway I was just curious.

Some self-righteous jerk got high on their own perceived authority and overstepped their bounds.

I'm glad the court set it straight.

It happens from time to time-- I've had people treat me as if I'm not fit to make my own decisions, and also had people who didn't even know my diagnosis treat me as if I'm not fit to make decisions about or work with my kids (on the grounds that they're professionals and I'm "just a mom.")

This is sort of illustrative of why the powers of government and other authorities need to be limited. I'll take the risks and responsibilities inherent in taking care of myself, thank you very much.

It's also illustrative (like my life isn't) of why autistics and parents of autistics need to have the self-respect and the brass balls to stand up and fight when we think what's being done is wrong. What they tried to do to Mr. Neary was bullying, no matter how polite they were about it. I'm glad he was brave enough to push back.

I've gotten in trouble, at least, for having autistic episodes in public places. I was supposedly banned for life from the public library for it but a couple of years later at the urging of one of my friends I went back and nobody noticed and threw me out like I was afraid they would. There was another incident that led to being cited by transit police but I couldn't pay the fine so I never did and I moved and they haven't tried to find me. I guess I've been lucky because those situations could have been a lot worse.

I have had several run ins with police in the last little while: the latest one having someone call 911 on me in my apartment building. I have no idea who or why and I can only assume someone must have misinterpreted something I said. Thankfully in all cases nothing came of it and even the police said after just 30 seconds of talking to me that they are required to investigate and saw nothing to worry about. They almost seemed surprised even though they knew they found the right person. Whew!

When I was married my Ex twice had thrown water in my face and once wine. When we were divorced and she would not let me see my kids even though the court ordered it so; instead of calling the police I tried to reason with her. During the conversation she got emotionally upset. Because I was not showing emotion as well she attempted to get the best of me. Because I was foolish and let her get the best of me I threw water in her face and was arrested for domestic violence, assault IV.

That in an of itself did not really cause as much problems for me as did my statement to the police. I thought it was unjust and silly that they would deal with me in this manner and that there were larger crimes in the world to focus on.


My signed confession sounded sarcastic and rude. It showed no sympathy and it put down my X wife. The judge was upset at my sarcastic nature and gave me a very substantial punishment.

If I would have simply shut my mouth and not talked to the police I would have received no punishment. Up to the point that they put the taser to my phase I thought it was a joke. I am thinking a more NT person would have been able to read the situation better and not make the same mistakes I did.

Needless to say I did learn a good lesson. And that's what being Aspie is about.

Most criminal suspects apparently waive their right to silence and counsel. I don't know why. It is amazing to me that anyone being questioned by the police would do anything other than assert the Fifth Amendment right to be silent and demand counsel. The same thing goes with searches. Why anyone would consent to a search is beyond my understanding. But people do consent all of the time rather than assert their Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches.

have almost faced legal/arrest on many ocasions due to behavior but police always recognise am autistic and learning disabled and cannot be arrested under the mental capacity act but am sectionable under the mental health act as a result.

am dealt with very well by the police in this country thankfuly and had an incident a few days ago where was dealt with by ten police and it coudnt have gone any better with them but have ended up back in the LD hospital again until january.

it sounds like the police were doing what they are known to do in america,as in not understanding autism and learning disabilities.

I've not been in trouble legally (yet)... but I have been in trouble tons at work for outbursts of anger.
Not fun at all to get into trouble. The bad part is feeling shame afterwards. uggg.