How Forensic Psychiatry Helps With Determining Competency To Stand Trial
by Wayne Owens
To go through a trial, the defendant must comprehend the charges against him or her and the penalties if convicted. You need to understand how a courtroom functions and the jobs of the people who works in this system.
It is important to cooperate with counsel as well. You must help your lawyer with planning a legal defense. This involves recalling events and facts, testifying at the trial and explaining your motives at time of the crime. This information helps your lawyer with challenging the prosecution's witnesses. Read on to find out how a forensic psychiatry helps with determining competency to stand trial.
What Is Forensic Psychiatry?
Forensic psychiatry is a specialized branch of psychiatry. It deals with the assessment and treatment of defenders with mental disorders. These defenders are in the community, mental hospitals and the prison system. Experts in this field is very knowledgeable about the connection between the law and mental health. It is also common for experts in this field to be hired as a psychiatry expert witness.
Get A Competency Evaluation
When determining if you are fit to stand trial, you must complete a competency evaluation. This evaluation is an assessment of a defendant 's ability to participate in the court process. It is carried out by a forensic psychiatrist. At the end of the assessment, your psychiatrist writes a forensic psychological evaluation report. This report is submitted to the court. It addresses whether you are fit to stand trial.
Is there A Mental Disorder?
A psychiatrist can tell a lot from this evaluation. The court figures there must be a reason for you to not cooperate with the court proceedings. A competency evaluation determines whether you have a mental impairment, defect or disorder.
Why You Need Expert Witness Psychiatry?
A forensic psychiatrist, such as from San Francisco Psychiatric, does not have to appear in court. Your lawyer can submit the competency evaluation without the psychiatrist being present. If you need the psychiatrist to testify, then he or she can give testimony on your mental condition.
It helps to understand that you have to pay a fee for an expert witness. Forensic psychologists usually charge by the hour. You also have to pay for research, preparations and for them to testify in court. If you are being charged with a serious crime, then you want to give yourself every chance at succeeding.
Your lawyer needs expert witness psychiatry prove there is a reason fro your behavior. If you have a mental disorder, then your lawyer can provide the necessary treatment to get you ready to stand trial.
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About Me
After developing a chronic physical illness, I soon began realizing that the disease plagued my mind almost more than it did my body. While my illness is not life-threatening, it was very difficult accepting that I would have to take medication for the rest of my life and eat a strict diet. After a year of depression, I finally overcame my fear of "exposing" my feelings to others and made an appointment with a mental health counselor. With her help, I was able to see the "silver linings" in life that I had greatly taken for granted before I became ill. I now encourage anyone who is battling an illness of any type to seek the psychological help they need. I plan to post lots of little mental health tips and tricks on my new blog along with advice for choosing a good counselor. Please come back soon!
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