Competency to Stand Trial

Case Study # 99778

Criminology > Criminal Justice and Corrections
Psychology > Case Studies

A case study presentation questioning whether a patient would be considered competent to stand trial.

1,205 words () | 5 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper presents a case study of a patient named Wilson, looking at whether he is competent to stand trial. The paper presents the details of the case and analyzes Wilson's physical and mental state. The paper then focuses on whether Wilson would be considered competent to stand trial in his current condition. It discusses his cognitive and behavioral functions and how these will also be impacted by Wilson's mild retardation throughout his life.

Table of Contents:
Case History
Competency To Stand Trial

From the Paper:

"Given the information that has been provided to date regarding Wilson and his interactions with other medical personnel, it would appear that he is capable of standing trial at this time. This is indicated by his knowledge of his previous behavior and his admitting to the fact that he had previously failed to take his medications, using this as an explanation for his violent behavior. Wilson was capable of discussing these elements of his life with logic and reasoning, which would lead an evaluator to conclude that Wilson was no longer hindered by his mental illness.
However, it must be noted that Wilson will always have the ability to stop taking his medications and of progressing in his paranoid schizophrenia because there is no cure for the illness ("Paranoid", n.d., sec. 1). The use of medications "such as Thorazine, Haldol, and Risperdal" may alleviate Wilson's symptoms and allow him to continue to function normally. Yet, as time progresses there can also be changes in Wilson's cognitive and behavioral functions, which will also be impacted by Wilson's mild retardation throughout his life."

Sample of Sources Used:

Paranoid schizophrenia. (2004). Health Square. Retrieved October 10, 2006, from http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc2415.htm
Robey, A. (1965). Criteria for competency to stand trial: A checklist for psychiatrists. The American Journal of Psychiatry. Retrieved October 10, 2006, from http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/122/6/616
Roesch, R., Zapf, P., and Eaves, D. (2006). Fit-R: Fitness interview test. Sarasota: Professional Resources Press.
Steele, B. (2005). Is competency to stand trial assessed competently? University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved October 10, 2006, from http://www.umc.pitt.edu/media/pcc051114/competence_2005NOV14.html
Voskanian, P. (n.d.). General and forensic psychiatry. Forensic Psychiatry. Retrieved October 10, 2006, from http://www.forensic-psychiatrist.com/Competency.html