Abstract
Statedependent functioning (SDF) describes how individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural capacities fluctuate in response to physiological and emotional arousal. This paper examines SDF through a neurodevelopmental and traumainformed lens, with specific application to youth and juvenile justice contexts. Drawing on neuroscience and developmental psychology, it demonstrates how stress, fear, and trauma can temporarily reduce children’s capacity for reasoning, impulse control, and emotional regulation. These effects are particularly pronounced for justiceinvolved children, many of whom experience chronic adversity and neurodevelopmental vulnerability. The paper argues that behaviours observed during higharousal justice interactions should not be interpreted as fixed traits or indicators of culpability.  Instead, they reflect situational states that require regulatory and relational responses. The implications for youth justice policy include the prioritisation of regulation before compliance, traumaresponsive practice, diversion, and relational engagement strategies. Understanding statedependent functioning provides a critical framework for fairer, developmentally appropriate justice responses.