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Appearing in Court Social Story, Parts 1-3

Overview

These social stories were created to describe the various aspects of appearing in court to individuals with autism.

Part 1: The Courtroom

Part 2: Testifying

Part 3: After the Ruling

Part 1: The Courtroom

A man standing next to a judge sitting at the bench and holding a gavel.

If I break a law, I might go to court.

A man and attorney sitting at a table. There is a brief case in front of it.

I will have an attorney to help me.

An icon of a hand holding a scale of justice and an attorney with her hand out.

Court is where decisions are made when a law is broken.

A row of jurors sitting in the stands, a gavel, and a judge sitting at their bench and holding a gavel.

A courtroom is a busy place with lots of people, sounds, smells, and sights.

A judge sitting at their bench holding a gavel and saying,

The Judge is in charge of the courtroom.

A judge sitting at their bench, holding a gavel, and asking,

The Judge decides what happens to people who break the law.

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Page 1 of 6

Part 2: Testifying

A man asking an attorney,

The attorney will help prepare me for court and understand the rules.

A man and an attorney sitting at a table. The attorney is talking with their hand up.

I will sit at a table with my attorney in the courtroom.

A man and woman standing inside a courtroom. The man's arm is around the woman's shoulder.

My parents can be in the courtroom with me.

A man sitting at a witness stand.

If I am asked to speak, that is called testifying.

A right hand, a text bubble, and the scales of justice to show someone swearing to tell the truth.

I must tell the truth.

A police officer and hands in handcuffs.

If I don’t tell the truth, that is breaking the law.

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Page 1 of 6

Part 3: After the Ruling

A man saying,

It is okay to tell the Judge and my attorney I have autism.

A man sitting at a witness stand asking,

It is ok to ask them to repeat things I don’t understand.

A judge sitting at the judge's bench and holding a gavel.

When the Judge makes a decision, this is called a ruling.

A figure saluting and another figure holding a gavel.

I have to obey the Judge’s ruling even if I don’t like it.

A hand holding a checklist of rules.

The Judge may send me home with specific rules I must follow.

Three people sitting around a table under a green roof to represent a meeting.

Or the Judge may send me to a place to learn how to stay out of trouble.

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Page 1 of 6

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This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.