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What is Competency to Stand Trial?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Competency to stand trial is a standard which must be met if someone is to stand trial. If someone is competent to stand trial, it means that he or she understands the purpose and nature of the proceedings and can assist the defense. If someone does not meet this standard, proceedings are terminated. In the United States, competency to stand trial has been ruled to be an aspect of due process of law, and many other nations also have similar protections in place.

If at any point during criminal proceedings there is a doubt about the defendant's competency to stand trial, a competency evaluation must be completed. A common cause to question someone's competency is mental illness which might make it difficult for someone to understand the proceedings or which would hinder preparation of defense. People with intellectual disabilities may also be deemed incompetent to stand trial.

In order for an individual to stand trail, he or she must understand the purpose of the proceedings.
In order for an individual to stand trail, he or she must understand the purpose of the proceedings.

During the competency evaluation, a mental health professional meets with the defendant. The evaluation is designed to test whether or not the defendant meets a standard of rationality and is capable of understanding why proceedings are happening, how they will be conducted, and what the potential consequences of the proceedings might be. Competency hearings can also be requested before someone waives legal rights, to confirm that the individual understands these rights and what happens when they are waived, and when someone wishes to plead guilty.

Competency to stand trial is not the same as an insanity defense.
Competency to stand trial is not the same as an insanity defense.

Having an intellectual disability or mental illness does not necessary mean that someone's competency to stand trial will be called into question or that someone cannot stand trial. Only an evaluation can determine this. However, some courts have been criticized for trying people who appear to lack an understanding of the proceedings by people who have said that the competency hearing was not extensive enough or was not conducted properly. Concerns have also been raised from another perspective by people who are worried that competency hearings might be used as a delaying or stalling tactic by the defense.

A judge might be required to determine an accused person's competency prior to trial.
A judge might be required to determine an accused person's competency prior to trial.

Competency to stand trial is sometimes compared to an insanity defense, but the two are different concepts. An insanity defense is used during a trial by someone who has been deemed competent to stand trial. In this defense, it is argued that at the time the crime was committed, the defendant was not of sound mind, and must be not guilty by reason of insanity because the defendant did not realize the repercussions of his or her actions. In these cases, the defendant's mental state at the time of the trial allows him or her to consult with a lawyer, to understand the charges and proceedings, and to participate in the trial.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Ruggercat68

I suppose the argument is that if a defendant doesn't have the competency to stand trial, he or she also doesn't bear the criminal responsibility of his or her acts. I've seen some people argue diminished capacity or mental retardation as a means to get out of a trial, but it usually doesn't work. Competency isn't just about the ability to understand what's going on, but also the ability to help with a defense. Being ordered into a mental health facility for a long time isn't necessarily better than serving time in prison.

RocketLanch8

We recently had a very sad situation here involving a well-respected local minister. He was in a bad car wreck a few years ago and suffered a traumatic brain injury. While he was recovering at home, he accidentally fell off a second story deck and had to go back to the hospital. When the doctors released him, people at his church started noticing changes in his personality. He turned over most of his duties to an associate pastor and stayed at home.

One morning his wife came home to check on him and he suddenly pulled out a gun and shot her to death. His teen daughter heard the noise and rushed in to check on them. He shot at her, too, but she wasn't seriously injured. He then started stabbing himself in the chest with a pair of scissors. He was arrested at the hospital and charged with murder and attempted murder.

When his preliminary trial date arrived, however, his attorneys requested a competency to stand trial assessment. The court determined that he was not competent to stand trial, so he was ordered to stay in a criminal mental health facility. He's now suing the doctors who originally released him without considering his mental health status.

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    • In order for an individual to stand trail, he or she must understand the purpose of the proceedings.
      By: David Gn
      In order for an individual to stand trail, he or she must understand the purpose of the proceedings.
    • Competency to stand trial is not the same as an insanity defense.
      By: Vibe Images
      Competency to stand trial is not the same as an insanity defense.
    • A judge might be required to determine an accused person's competency prior to trial.
      By: Monika Wisniewska
      A judge might be required to determine an accused person's competency prior to trial.