Mental health consultation concerning the competency of the criminal defendant

Abstract

The process of questioning and evaluating the competency of the criminal defendant is discussed. Assessing the defendant's competency inherently has less celebrity than criminal responsibility but affects more people. Many factors can result from the criminal defendant's competency being disputed. Because of dispositional aspects, there is need for a variety of options, preferably via the local mental health resources. Consultation may often be the most useful role for the mental health professional in his working with the members of the criminal justice system, with the legal professional keeping direct responsibility for the client.