These assessments become necessary when concerns arise about whether a defendant has the mental capacity to understand the legal proceedings and meaningfully participate in their own defense. Unlike other forensic evaluations that focus on past mental states, competency assessments evaluate whether psychological functioning or cognitive abilities impact an individual’s adjudicative competency.
At Atlas Psychological Services, forensic psychologists Dr. Sanjay Shah and Dr. Jonathan Hill deliver thorough, court-defensible competency assessments that help Atlanta, Georgia, and federal courts make informed decisions about a defendant's fitness to proceed with trial.
Here’s how engaging with our forensic psychologists can help ensure your case is approached thoughtfully and objectively.
- Highly specialized training in forensic psychology
- Extensive experience through the completion of hundreds of forensic evaluations in private and public settings
- Clear expert testimony in federal and state courts
Understanding Competency to Stand Trial in Georgia
These assessments become necessary when questions arise about whether they possess sufficient rational and factual understanding of their charges and the legal process. In our state, competency standards follow the criteria established in Brown v. State, which requires defendants to demonstrate three key capacities:
- They must understand the nature and object of the proceedings against them, such as the roles of judge, jury, prosecutor, and defense counsel.
- Defendants must comprehend their own condition in relation to the proceedings, such as recognizing how the charges relate to their situation.
- They must possess the ability to assist their attorney in preparing and presenting their defense.
Competency to Stand Trial Under Federal Law
Under federal law, the standard for competency is established by Dusky v. United States. This decision requires that defendants demonstrate the following essential capacities:
- They must have both a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings against them
- They must possess sufficient present ability to consult with their attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding.
These criteria are designed to protect due process rights, and the rights to be represented by effective counsel, to confront one’s accusers, and to present evidence in one’s defense.
Why Competency Evaluations Matter for Fair Legal Proceedings
Competency to stand trial serves as a fundamental safeguard in the American justice system, ensuring that individuals can participate meaningfully in their own defense. When defendants lack sufficient understanding or ability to assist counsel, proceeding with trial violates constitutional principles.
These evaluations protect vulnerable people while maintaining the integrity of legal proceedings. Courts rely on competency assessments to determine whether defendants require mental health treatment to restore their fitness for trial.
For Atlanta and federal attorneys and courts, competency evaluations offer essential insights that inform case strategy and support effective client advocacy. A clear understanding of a defendant’s psychological functioning enables counsel to communicate appropriately, advocate their position effectively in court, and help ensure the defendant receives a fair trial.
At Atlas Psychological Services, we understand that competency evaluations directly impact individual liberty. Our forensic psychological evaluations to deliver Atlanta courts, courts around Georgia, and federal courts the psychological information needed to make informed decisions that uphold justice and protect defendants’ constitutional rights.
Our Atlanta Competency Evaluation Process
Led by Dr. Shah and Dr. Hill, our team employs a multi-method approach that gathers information from several sources to produce ethical, thorough, and reliable competency assessments. This process ensures that our evaluations meet the rigorous standards expected in Atlanta courts while addressing the specific legal questions at hand.
Clinical Interviews and Mental Status Examinations
Our psychologists conduct detailed face-to-face interviews that assess the defendant's current psychological functioning, cognitive abilities, and understanding of legal concepts. These sessions explore their grasp of courtroom procedures, relationship with counsel, and capacity to make informed decisions about their case.
Specialized Competency Assessment Tools
We often utilize validated instruments specifically designed to evaluate competency-related abilities and aid the forensic assessment process. These standardized and evidence-based measures provide objective data about a defendant's understanding of legal proceedings and their functional abilities within the legal context.
Collateral Information Review
A complete competency evaluation could require examining relevant records, including mental health histories, educational backgrounds, and previous legal involvement. We also gather information from attorneys, family members, and treatment providers when relevant and permissible.
When the stakes involve constitutional rights and due process, competency evaluations require the highest standards of professional integrity and scientific rigor. Atlas Psychological Services provides impartial, evidence-based forensic evaluations that support the fair administration of justice. Our evaluations offer Atlanta and federal attorneys and their clients clear, well-reasoned findings to inform the legal process.
Choose Our Trusted Psychological Expertise for Forensic and Clinical Needs
When questions about a defendant’s mental fitness to stand trial may impact case outcomes, consider working with Atlanta’s experienced forensic psychology team. Contact Atlas Psychological Services to discuss your competency to stand trial evaluation needs and learn how our forensic assessments can support an informed legal strategy. Call or text (404) 500-9681 to schedule your consultation and discover why attorneys throughout Metro Atlanta choose our team for their most critical forensic assessment solutions.