When does forensic psychiatry prove useful to the legal process?
In cases when legal matters involve issues that are outside the expertise of lawyers and judges, consultation from professionals in a wide variety of fields, including medical specialties is sought. This is when forensic psychiatrists work with courts in evaluating an individuals competency to stand trial, defenses based on mental diseases or defects and sentencing recommendations. Basically there are two major areas in criminal evaluations in forensic psychiatry, which have been listed below. • Competency to Stand Trial (CST) This competency evaluation is used to determine whether a defendant has the mental capacity to understand the charges and assist his/her attorney. This law that is seated in the Fifth Amendment to the US constitution ensures the right to be present at your trial, to face the accusers and to seek help from an attorney. Often, as a witness forensic psychiatrists are called to be expert witnesses in civil and criminal proceedings. Here the forensic psychiatrist has
