TSH
Why are you at TSH?
Competency Restoration
Who is the defendant in your case? Why?
You; You have the charge
What is the role of the prosecutor?
To prove the defendant guilty
What should you do if a witness is lying about you in court?
Tell your lawyer
Neither, they are neutral
What is the name of the groups that you have to attend for competency restoration?
Competency
Who is the lawyer on your side?
Defense Attorney
What 2 levels of charges can the prosecution charge the defendant with?
Felony and Misdemeanor
What do you do if you do not understand something during court?
What does is mean to plead no contest?
You are not admitting guilt but you are accepting the charge
Who says you have to attend competency classes?
The Judge
What are the pleas that a defendant can plead?
Guilty, not guilty, no contest, NGRI
What is evidence?
Things that show that a defendant did or did not commit the alleged crime; Proof of the crime
What are the 3 C's (the way you should act in court)?
Calm, cool, collected
What are the 2 duties of the judge?
Keep order in the court; sentence the defendant
What happens after your competency evaluation?
The evaluator writes a letter to the court stating if they believe you are competent or not, but it is just a suggestion. The judge makes the final decision.
No
The prosecutor will often offer a deal for the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge or a lesser sentence, what is this deal called?
Plea bargain
What is perjury?
Lying under oath
Explain what NGRI means
Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. I admitting I committed the crime, but at the time of the crime, I had a SEVERE mental illness and did not know right from wrong
Why is it important to be found competent before trial?
Everyone has a right to a FAIR trial. It wouldn't be fair if you don't understand the legal processes
Who is the only person who can decide how the defendant is going to plead?
The defendant
Who are the 4 people involved in a plea bargain?
Prosecutor
Defendant
Defense Attorney
Judge
What is the charge you can receive if you are disruptive in court?
Contempt of court
Explain the Process of a Trial
The Defense Attorney & Prosecutor argue about evidence.
The Jury listens to the arguments and then deliberates.
The Jury gives a verdict.