What is Competency to Stand Trial?
BARRY A. BUKATMAN M.D.1,
JAMES L. FOY M.D.2, , and
EDWARD DEGRAZIA J.D.3
1 Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C., private practice at 5415 W. Cedar Lane, Suite 207-B, Bethesda, Md. 20014
2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.
3 Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.
Problems involved in determining a defendant's competency to stand trial are often an outgrowth of confused evaluations. A possible remedy exists in setting up evaluation criteria relevant to the legal situation and to the definition of competency. These should focus on information about the defendant's understanding of his predicament, the defendant's future behavior, and the client-lawyer relationship. The authors conclude that an adequate competency examination focuses on defendant and lawyer together.
