Appendix 4 – Eastern and Western State Hospitals’ Competency Evaluator Experiences
Required Tasks to Complete
Competency Evaluations
Evaluators
Evaluators
Same or Different?
Travel to Jail or Community
Location for Defendant Interview
(for outpatient evaluations)
Defendants in jail: Travel to the jail.
Defendants released to the
community: Travel to a location in
the community to meet with an
individual defendant.
Defendants in jail: Travel to the jail.
Defendants released to the community:
Travel to a location in the community for
“Competency Fests” at which evaluators
meet with several defendants (typically
eight) in one location at the same time.
Different
Conduct Defendant Interview Evaluator
Sometimes more than one interview
is required.
Evaluator
Sometimes more than one interview is
required.
Same
Reschedule Interview
(If defendant does not show up, if jail
space is not available or is on “lock
down”, if attorney was no longer
available, etc.)
Administrative staff reschedules the
interview as needed.
If a defendant who has been released
does not show up for a community
evaluation the administrative staff
will attempt to reschedule the
interview. Sometimes the evaluator
can reschedule while at the location.
Evaluator reschedules the jail interviews
as needed.
If a defendant who has been released does
not show up for a community evaluation,
the evaluator sends the court a progress
report but does not reschedule.
Different
No Show Report
(If a defendant released to the
community does not show up for the
interview.)
Evaluators were unaware of a status
report. Administrative staff are often
able to reschedule the interview as
needed.
Evaluator writes a summary progress
report to the court describing what
occurred and notifying the court that it
can send a new referral if it wants to
pursue an evaluation again.
Different
Request Additional Information
(e.g. medical records)
(If determined necessary by the
evaluator.)
Administrative staff submit the
request for additional information to
institutions such as medical facilities,
doctors’ offices, etc.
Evaluator submits the request for
additional information to institutions
such as medical facilities, doctors’ offices,
etc.
Different
Review Additional Information Evaluator reviews available
information.
Evaluator reviews available information. Same
JLARC Report 14-1: Competency to Stand Trial, Phase II 53