Category: Competency Evaluations
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Why Mental Health Records Matter in Court Ordered Services
When the court orders a psychiatric evaluation under Iowa Code 812.3, one of the first steps in the process is gathering relevant records. These court-ordered evaluations are commonly referred to as competency evaluations and help the court determine whether an individual is able to understand the legal process and meaningfully participate in their defense. Mental…
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Getting Started with Court-Ordered Services
When court-ordered mental health services are first being arranged, people often have questions about what information is needed and how the process gets started. Courts, attorneys, treatment providers, families, and correctional facilities may all play a role, and figuring out what to gather or who to contact can sometimes feel overwhelming. When information is available…
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In-Custody vs. Out-of-Custody Evaluations
In Iowa, competency evaluations are most often completed as court-ordered psychiatric evaluations under Iowa Code 812.3 when there are pending criminal charges and the court has questions about an individual’s ability to proceed. Through 1st Choice, these evaluations may be completed while an individual is in jail custody or while they remain in the community.…
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When a Private Evaluation May Be Helpful
Questions about a person’s ability to make important decisions can arise in many different situations. While competency evaluations are often associated with court-ordered services in criminal cases, capacity evaluations may also be requested privately when there are concerns about a person’s ability to understand decisions or participate meaningfully in important matters. Capacity evaluations are typically…
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Understanding Iowa Code 812.3 and Competency Evaluations
In Iowa, when the court has questions about whether an individual is able to understand the legal process and participate in their defense, a psychiatric evaluation may be ordered under Iowa Code 812.3. These court-ordered psychiatric evaluations are commonly referred to as competency evaluations and are an important part of ensuring fairness within the legal…
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Traumatic Brain Injury: The Silent Epidemic
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a “silent epidemic” among those involved in the justice system. Systematic reviews show that 25% to 87% of incarcerated individuals have a history of TBI, often involving loss of consciousness and lasting cognitive changes. The link between TBI and crime is localized in the frontal and temporal lobes, the brain’s…
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Navigating the Competency Evaluation Process in Iowa
When someone is involved in a criminal case, the law requires that they be able to understand what is happening and meaningfully participate in their defense. In Iowa, when concerns arise about a defendant’s ability to do so, Iowa Code 812.3 provides the framework for addressing those concerns through a competency evaluation. On paper, the…
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Individuals with Intellectual Disability in the Criminal Justice System
Individuals with intellectual disabilities are arrested, charged, and incarcerated at disproportionately high rates. While intellectual disability is not a cause of crime, this population faces systemic barriers that complicate their interaction within the standard legal system. Challenges related to abstract reasoning, communication deficits, and struggles with judgment can substantially impact their right to due process. …
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Faking Mental Illness
Individuals sometimes falsely report symptoms of mental illness during forensic evaluations. They might falsely report relatively minor symptoms, such as anxiety or insomnia, or they might pretend to suffer from a severe illness, such as schizophrenia. The reasons for this behavior are wide-ranging and deserve an entire series, but in this post we’re going to…
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After the Competency Hearing
We previously reviewed the main conclusions that a competency evaluation might reach. The competency evaluation offers an opinion and a recommendation, but the ultimate decision is made by the judge at a competency hearing. Let’s explore some of the decisions the judge might make, as well as their potential consequences. It’s worth noting that these…