Question 1

According to the information presented in Chapter 8, which of the following is FALSE regarding competency to stand trial?

Accepted Answer

Most individuals referred for a competence evaluation are actually found competent, not incompetent.

Question 2

According to the textbook, all of the following are common mental health problems diagnosed in defendants found to be incompetent to stand trial EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

While obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common mental health problem, it is not typically associated with incompetency to stand trial. The other three options (Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, and Intellectual disability) are commonly associated with incompetency to stand trial.

Question 3

The modern conception of competency to stand trial was defined by the Supreme Court in the case of:

Accepted Answer

The modern conception of competency to stand trial was defined by the Supreme Court in the case of Dusky v. United States (1960), which established the standard of whether a defendant has "sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding" and has "a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him." The other options are not relevant to the concept of competency to stand trial.

Question 4

Which of the following cases involved the issue of a defendant being forcibly medicated who was deemed not to be a danger to himself or others?

Accepted Answer

Sell v. United States (2003) involved the issue of forcibly medicating a defendant who was deemed not to be a danger to himself or others.

Question 5

Unlike what most people think, malingering means that all of the following is likely to happen to the criminal defendant who is faking incompetency EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Malingering, or faking incompetency, does not typically result in a defendant being set free. Instead, they may be hospitalized in a secure facility, have their competency restored, or face refiled charges once competency is regained.

Question 6

Some forensic psychologists argue that all of the following conditions should trigger an automatic competency evaluation for juveniles EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A family history of mental illness does not necessarily indicate that the juvenile themselves has a mental condition affecting their competency, unlike the other options which directly relate to the individual's cognitive or developmental status.

Question 7

Which one of the following forensic assessment instruments (FAIs) is considered to be a gold standard for determining competency to stand trial?

Accepted Answer

No single forensic assessment instrument is universally accepted as the "gold standard" for determining competency to stand trial, as competency evaluations are complex and require a comprehensive assessment beyond any single test.

Question 8

Regarding defendants judged to be incompetent to stand trial, which of the following is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Defendants judged to be incompetent to stand trial are not necessarily charged with more serious crimes than competent defendants. The determination of competency is based on the defendant's mental ability to understand the proceedings and assist in their own defense, rather than the severity of the crime.

Question 9

Most states limit the period of confinement for defendants found to be incompetent to somewhere between:

Accepted Answer

Most states limit the period of confinement for defendants found to be incompetent to somewhere between 4 and 18 months. This period allows for the defendant to receive treatment and become competent to stand trial. After this period, if the defendant is still found to be incompetent, they may be released or committed to further treatment.

Question 10

In which of the following cases did the Supreme Court limit the period of confinement to the time necessary to determine if the defendant could be returned to competence in the foreseeable future?

Accepted Answer

In Jackson v. Indiana (1972), the Supreme Court held that a person cannot be held in a state mental hospital for an indefinite period of time if they are unlikely to regain competency. The court mandated that the confinement must be limited to the time necessary to determine if the defendant could be returned to competence in the foreseeable future.

Question 11

Competency to stand trial refers to the psychological state of the defendant:

Accepted Answer

Competency to stand trial assesses the defendant's mental state at the time of the trial to ensure they understand the proceedings and can participate in their defense.

Question 12

CST refers to several types of functions a defendant should be able to perform. Which of the following is NOT one of these functions?

Accepted Answer

CST (Competency to Stand Trial) does not refer to the ability to trust the prosecutor. The other options - understanding charges, acting appropriately during trial, and ability to trust and communicate with defense counsel - are all part of CST.

Question 13

The Court's decision in the case of Morrow v. Maryland (1982) was:

Accepted Answer

The Court's decision in Morrow v. Maryland (1982) was that severe memory loss does not mean that a defendant should be ruled incompetent. This case pertained to competency to stand trial and the Court ruled that memory loss does not necessarily make a defendant incompetent.

Question 14

In the case of _____, the Supreme Court held that separate psychological evaluations of competency to waive one's rights to counsel or plead guilty are not required once a defendant has been found competent to stand trial.

Accepted Answer

Godinez v. Moran (1993) held that separate psychological evaluations of competency to waive one's rights to counsel or plead guilty are not required once a defendant has been found competent to stand trial.

Question 15

In the case of Indiana v. Edwards (2008), the Supreme Court held that:

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court held that the CST standard for competence to stand trial does not necessarily apply to the ability to waive counsel and that a higher standard may be required for mentally ill defendants to do so. However, this case did not address whether the presence of a mental disorder or intellectual disability alone is sufficient to establish incompetence.

Quiz 8: Section 3: Competency to Stand Trial