What Is Competency to Stand Trial?
Competency to stand trial is a standard which must be met if someone is to stand trial. If someone is competent to stand trial, it means that he or she understands the purpose and nature of the proceedings and can assist the defense. If someone does not meet this standard, proceedings are terminated. In the United States, competency to stand trial has been ruled to be an aspect of due process of law, and many other nations also have similar protections in place. If at any point during criminal proceedings there is a doubt about the defendant’s competency to stand trial, a competency evaluation must be completed. A common cause to question someone’s competency is mental illness which might make it difficult for someone to understand the proceedings or which would hinder preparation of defense. People with intellectual disabilities may also be deemed incompetent to stand trial.
