Dr. Steven Gaskell is a forensic psychologist who performs forensic psychological evaluations including the assessment of competency to stand trial.  This post summarizes federal and state standards for competency to stand trial.  For more information on Psycholegal Assessments, Inc. competency to stand trial evaluations click hereFederal and State Standards for Competency to Stand Trial The following provides information of various standards …

Competency to Stand Trial Landmark Cases Cooper v. Oklahoma Cooper v. Oklahoma (US Supreme Court 1996) In regard to burden of proof for competency to stand trial, the Court ruled Oklahoma’s law that allowed the State to try a defendant who is more likely than not incompetent was unconstitutional as it violated the Due Process Clause. In other words, the …