A judge will order a competency evaluation if there is ___________________ that the defendant is competent.

Question

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A judge will only order a competency evaluation if there is a bona fide doubt, meaning a genuine and reasonable uncertainty, about the defendant's competency to stand trial. There must be some indication or evidence, such as the defendant's behavior, demeanor or ability to understand the proceedings, that raises concerns about their competency. Simply making a claim or lack of a preliminary determination is not enough to trigger a competency evaluation.

A Judge Will Order a Competency Evaluation If There Is