Basic Legal Rules
This rule says that a defender must understand what is happening in court.
The competency standard.
This kind of doctor checks if a defendant is competent.
Psychologist or psychiatrist.
This person runs the court and makes decisions.
Judge.
A defendant who cannot understand court may be found this.
Incompetent to stand trial.
When a defendant is found incompetent, the trial is usually this.
Paused or stopped.
A defendant must be able to talk to and work with this person.
Defense attorney/Public defender.
This is a court-ordered check of a defendant's mental ability.
Competency evaluation.
This person tries to prove that the defendant broke the law.
Prosecutor or District Attorney.
Mental illness by itself does NOT automatically mean this.
Incompetency
This treatment helps a defendant become competent.
Competency is about a defendant's mental ability at this point in time.
Right now or present time.
The evaluator writes this to explain their opinion.
Report.
This group listens to the case and decides the facts of the trial.
Jury
A defendant can be mentally ill and still be this.
Competent.
This process tries to make the defendant competent again.
Competency restoration.
A defendant who understands court and can help their lawyer is called this.
Competency to stand trial.
These may be used to help decide competency.
Medical or mental health records.
A defendant must understand what crimes they are accused of, called these.
Charges
Competent is about being able to help your lawyer do this.
Defend the case.
After treatment, the court checks competency again using this.
Another evaluation.
This decision is made by a judge.
Competency to stand trial.
The evaluator does not decide this.
Guilt or innocence.
A defendant must understand what could happen if they are convicted.
Punishments or potential consequences.
Competency can change over time, meaning it is this.
Not permanent.
If competency is restored, the trial can do this.