Competency Basics
Is having a mental illness automatically the same thing as being IST?
No. Someone can have a mental illness and still understand their court case and work with their lawyer.
What does IST stand for?
Incompetent to Stand Trial?
This is the main goal of competency restoration treatment.
To help the person develop the knowledge and skills needed to participate in their court case.
This system is the electronic medical record system for detention programs
TechCare
I go to here to find out what appointments are happening today
Appointments tab, teams' messages/emails from Geonna.
What does it mean when someone is "competent" to stand trial?
the person understands enough about the court process and can work with their lawyer to participate in their case.
Who makes the final decision about whether someone is competent to stand trial?
The judge/court?
What is an example of something staff might teach someone in competency restoration?
Roles, Pleas, court bx, procedure, significance of tx
Using the appropriate identification number, you can see members' charges with this system
JIMs.
A client repeatedly says, "The judge is part of the police and is trying to sentence me." Staff should do what?
Name two categories of information a member needs to be able to understand to participate in their court case.
Roles of people in court, and potential outcomes of court
Who are the 4 people involved in a plea bargain?
Prosecutor, Defendant, Defense Attorney, Judge
Why is memorizing legal information not enough?
They need to understand and use the information, not just repeat.
This program allows the County to bill Medi-Cal funding, except detention...for now
ELMR.
do not give legal advice, inform them of their options.
what pleas are possible for a member to make?
Not guilty, guilty, no contest, guilty but mentally ill, Not guilty by reason of insanity
What does is mean to plead no contest?
You are not admitting guilt but you are accepting the charge
We're not psych doctors, so why do we worry about medication compliance?
Some programs require medication compliance; some concerns are best treated with a combination of medication and talk therapies.
You need to adjust the patient's treatment plan when there is a significant change in functional status here.
TechCare and/or ELMR.
A member becomes quickly agitated when role playing a sentencing hearing, what do you do?
Deescalate the member, work to gain coping skills for anger, and proper court bx
2 Years maximum with reports every 90 days
What's the difference between Competency and Responsibility?
Competency is if a person can participate now. Responsibility is about person's mental state and circumstances when the alleged crime occurred.
Why do I need to document if a person knows what a court reporter is?
Because the person may have abnormal thoughts about any role within the court, and needs a baseline statement.
I need to see what a member's current acuity level is for a correctional setting, where do I look?
TechCare flag, JIMs housing reports.
A member exposes themselves to you when in session, what do you do?
Inform them of their inappropriate behavior and their need to cover or the session will be terminated. Turn off camera, inform supervisor of incident.