NCJ Number
41167
Date Published
1977
Length
266 pages
Annotation
THIS RESEARCH PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE THE COST OF COURT-ORDERED INCOMPETENCY EVALUATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA AND TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF A NEW FORENSIC FACILITY.
Abstract
ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING A DEFENDANT'S COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL ARE EXAMINED IN THIS COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS. CHAPTER 2 PRESENTS A LITERATURE REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF SEVERAL ISSUES RELATED TO COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL, SUCH AS: THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL AND THE INSANITY DEFENSE; COMPETENCY RESEARCH; THE RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF CLINICAL JUDGEMENT; AND THE USE OF PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION DURING EVALUATION, TREATMENT, AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. CHAPTER 3 EXAMINES THE CURRENT PROCEDURES IN NORTH CAROLINA FOR DETERMINING COMPETENCY, AND ALSO INCLUDES A DISCUSSION OF DATA COLLECTED DURING THIS PROJECT FROM NORTH CAROLINA JUDGES AND LAWYERS INVOLVED IN THE COMPETENCY PROCEDURES. CHAPTER 4 CONTAINS AN ANALYSIS OF DATA COLLECTED ON COMPETENT AND INCOMPETENT DEFENDANTS WHO HAD BEEN EVALUATED AT NORTH CAROLINA'S DORTHEA DIX HOSPITAL. INFORMATION FROM COURT RECORDS WAS ALSO OBTAINED, INCLUDING TYPE OF OFFENSE, DISPOSITION, AND TYPE AND LENGTH OF SENTENCE. CHAPTER 5 RECOMMENDS MAJOR CHANGES IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING COMPETENCY. CHAPTER 6 APPLIES THE SYSTEM RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE NEEDS OF THE FORENSIC FACILITY AT DORTHEA DIX HOSPITAL. THE FEASIBILITY OF RENOVATING THE CURRENT FACILITY AND POTENTIAL FEATURES OF A NEW ONE ARE DISCUSSED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...MSP