The legal term for a defendant's ability to understand the charges against him or her and participate in a defense in court is ________.
A) insanity
B) abnormality
C) competency
D) mental illness

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Competency refers to a defendant's cognitive and emotional ability to understand the charges against him or her and participate in a defense in court. It is different from insanity or mental illness, which relate to the defendant's state of mind at the time of the offense. Abnormality is a vague term that does not have a specific legal meaning in this context.

The Legal Term for a Defendant's Ability to Understand the Charges