Question 1

Which legal actors are ethically bound to assure that a defendant is competent to stand trial?

Accepted Answer

A)  Defense attorney only. 
B)  Judge and the defense attorney. 
C)  The prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney. 
D)  The defense attorney, judge, and prosecuting attorney. 
A)  Defense attorney only. 
B)  Judge and the defense attorney. 
C)  The prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney. 
D)  The defense attorney, judge, and prosecuting attorney.

Question 2

There are several important reasons why the defendant should be able to understand what is happening at every stage in the criminal justice process. Which of the following is NOT such a reason?

Accepted Answer

A)  If the defendant helps with his defense, it increases the likelihood of a just verdict. 
B)  The defendant can help his lawyer to find important witnesses to testify at trial. 
C)  It is easier for the prosecutor to convict the defendant who lacks the mental capacity to understand the basics of a legal proceeding. 
D)  Using the power of the criminal justice system against somebody who does not understand what is going on seems unfair. 
A)  If the defendant helps with his defense, it increases the likelihood of a just verdict. 
B)  The defendant can help his lawyer to find important witnesses to testify at trial. 
C)  It is easier for the prosecutor to convict the defendant who lacks the mental capacity to understand the basics of a legal proceeding. 
D)  Using the power of the criminal justice system against somebody who does not understand what is going on seems unfair.

Question 3

If you were a defendant in a criminal trial, CST would refer to several types of functions you should be able to perform. Which of the following is NOT one of these functions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Understanding the charges against you. 
B)  Acting appropriately during the trial. 
C)  Being able to trust your prosecutor. 
D)  Being able to trust and communicate with your defense counsel. 
A)  Understanding the charges against you. 
B)  Acting appropriately during the trial. 
C)  Being able to trust your prosecutor. 
D)  Being able to trust and communicate with your defense counsel.

Question 4

Competence to stand trial is most likely to be compromised if the accused:

Accepted Answer

A)  has been hospitalized several years prior. 
B)  is in a severe psychotic state. 
C)  suffers from a learning disability. 
D)  does not know English well. 
A)  has been hospitalized several years prior. 
B)  is in a severe psychotic state. 
C)  suffers from a learning disability. 
D)  does not know English well.

Question 5

According to the text, all of the following are common mental health problems diagnosed in defendants found to be incompetent to stand trial, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  obsessive-compulsive disorder. 
B)  bipolar disorder. 
C)  schizophrenia. 
D)  intellectual disability. 
A)  obsessive-compulsive disorder. 
B)  bipolar disorder. 
C)  schizophrenia. 
D)  intellectual disability.

Question 6

Explain why competency to stand trial (CST) is a legal and not a psychological term. What are the key elements of CST?

Accepted Answer

•CST is a legal term because it does not

Question 7

Although there are _____ forensic assessment instruments available to evaluators, the vast majority of evaluators _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  plenty of; refuse to perform competence evaluations 
B)  plenty of; do not use any FAIs for assessment 
C)  five established; use the MMPI-2 test 
D)  five established; do not use any FAIs for assessment 
A)  plenty of; refuse to perform competence evaluations 
B)  plenty of; do not use any FAIs for assessment 
C)  five established; use the MMPI-2 test 
D)  five established; do not use any FAIs for assessment

Question 8

According to the text, there are several types of legal competence. Which of the following is NOT among them?

Accepted Answer

A)  Competency to waive an attorney. 
B)  Competency to plead guilty. 
C)  Competency for execution. 
D)  Competency for being released. 
A)  Competency to waive an attorney. 
B)  Competency to plead guilty. 
C)  Competency for execution. 
D)  Competency for being released.

Question 9

Psychological tests related specifically to legal issues, for example, for the evaluation of competence to stand trial, are referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A)  forensic evidence. 
B)  forensic assessment instruments. 
C)  psychological diagnostics. 
D)  criminal intent diagnostics. 
A)  forensic evidence. 
B)  forensic assessment instruments. 
C)  psychological diagnostics. 
D)  criminal intent diagnostics.

Question 10

Most states _____ have a formal process for the certification of CST evaluators, _____ specific test to determine competence.

Accepted Answer

A)  do; and there is a gold standard 
B)  do; but there is no 
C)  do not; but there is a gold standard 
D)  do not; and there is no 
A)  do; and there is a gold standard 
B)  do; but there is no 
C)  do not; but there is a gold standard 
D)  do not; and there is no

Question 11

With regard to malingering, the Court has made the following decision in the case of Morrow v. Maryland (1982):

Accepted Answer

A)  A defendant found to be malingering may be given a longer sentence. 
B)  A claim of severe memory loss alone does not mean that a defendant is incompetent. 
C)  A defendant with a serious mental illness must be given multiple evaluations. 
D)  Medications can be administered to a defendant against his will if he is malingering. 
A)  A defendant found to be malingering may be given a longer sentence. 
B)  A claim of severe memory loss alone does not mean that a defendant is incompetent. 
C)  A defendant with a serious mental illness must be given multiple evaluations. 
D)  Medications can be administered to a defendant against his will if he is malingering.

Question 12

In the case of Godinez v. Moran (1993), the Supreme Court held that separate psychological evaluations of competency to waive one's rights to counsel or plead guilty are _____ a defendant has been found _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  required even if; competent to stand trial 
B)  required if; incompetent 
C)  not required once; competent to stand trial 
D)  not required once; mentally ill 
A)  required even if; competent to stand trial 
B)  required if; incompetent 
C)  not required once; competent to stand trial 
D)  not required once; mentally ill

Question 13

All of the following are advantages of performing competency evaluations on an outpatient basis, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  They are cheaper than inpatient evaluations. 
B)  They can be easily manipulated due to an uncontrolled environment. 
C)  They are less intrusive than inpatient evaluations. 
D)  The defendant does not need to be incarcerated during outpatient evaluations. 
A)  They are cheaper than inpatient evaluations. 
B)  They can be easily manipulated due to an uncontrolled environment. 
C)  They are less intrusive than inpatient evaluations. 
D)  The defendant does not need to be incarcerated during outpatient evaluations.

Question 14

In the case of Indiana v. Edwards (2008), the Supreme Court held that:

Accepted Answer

A)  incompetent defendants could not be held without trial more than a reasonable amount of time. 
B)  a defendant could be medicated against his or her will without a court hearing. 
C)  there is a higher standard for a mentally ill individual to waive counsel than the CST standard. 
D)  the presence of mental disorder or intellectual disability is equated with incompetence. 
A)  incompetent defendants could not be held without trial more than a reasonable amount of time. 
B)  a defendant could be medicated against his or her will without a court hearing. 
C)  there is a higher standard for a mentally ill individual to waive counsel than the CST standard. 
D)  the presence of mental disorder or intellectual disability is equated with incompetence.

Question 15

If a defendant is found incompetent to be executed, proceedings are initiated to_____ so that he or she can be _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  restore him or her to competency; executed 
B)  dismiss the charges; restored to competency and released 
C)  suspend the execution; reevaluated to prove his insanity 
D)  replace the execution with life imprisonment; involuntarily committed 
A)  restore him or her to competency; executed 
B)  dismiss the charges; restored to competency and released 
C)  suspend the execution; reevaluated to prove his insanity 
D)  replace the execution with life imprisonment; involuntarily committed

Question 16

In the U.S. legal system, the right to waive an attorney implies that the defendant:

Accepted Answer

A)  has been evaluated for competency to stand trial. 
B)  is competent to defend himself in court. 
C)  understands his constitutional rights well. 
D)  does not suffer from a mental disorder. 
A)  has been evaluated for competency to stand trial. 
B)  is competent to defend himself in court. 
C)  understands his constitutional rights well. 
D)  does not suffer from a mental disorder.

Question 17

The following consequences are likely to happen to the criminal defendant who is faking incompetency, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  being set free. 
B)  getting hospitalized in a secure facility. 
C)  having his or her competency attempted to be restored through forcible medication. 
D)  having the charges against him or her refiled later, when competency is regained. 
A)  being set free. 
B)  getting hospitalized in a secure facility. 
C)  having his or her competency attempted to be restored through forcible medication. 
D)  having the charges against him or her refiled later, when competency is regained.

Question 18

To approve the guilty plea, judges are ____ to question the defendant in order to establish that he or she understands the consequences: that by pleading guilty, the defendant _____ important constitutional rights.

Accepted Answer

A)  likely; establishes 
B)  likely; forfeits 
C)  required; establishes 
D)  required; forfeits 
A)  likely; establishes 
B)  likely; forfeits 
C)  required; establishes 
D)  required; forfeits

Question 19

According to the text, all of the following categories of people are significantly more likely to be found incompetent, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  adolescents under the age of 15. 
B)  youths with developmental disabilities. 
C)  youths with intellectual disabilities. 
D)  youths with physical disabilities. 
A)  adolescents under the age of 15. 
B)  youths with developmental disabilities. 
C)  youths with intellectual disabilities. 
D)  youths with physical disabilities.

Question 20

Courts can recommend forcible medication of defendants:

Accepted Answer

A)  as part of standard treatment. 
B)  only in capital murder cases. 
C)  who are psychotic. 
D)  when they are a danger to self or others. 
A)  as part of standard treatment. 
B)  only in capital murder cases. 
C)  who are psychotic. 
D)  when they are a danger to self or others.

Which legal actors are ethically bound to assure that a defendant is competent to stand trial?

There are several important reasons why the defendant should be able to understand what is happening at every stage in the criminal justice process. Which of the following is NOT such a reason?

If you were a defendant in a criminal trial, CST would refer to several types of functions you should be able to perform. Which of the following is NOT one of these functions?

Competence to stand trial is most likely to be compromised if the accused:

According to the text, all of the following are common mental health problems diagnosed in defendants found to be incompetent to stand trial, EXCEPT:

Explain why competency to stand trial (CST) is a legal and not a psychological term. What are the key elements of CST?

Although there are _ forensic assessment instruments available to evaluators, the vast majority of evaluators _.

According to the text, there are several types of legal competence. Which of the following is NOT among them?

Psychological tests related specifically to legal issues, for example, for the evaluation of competence to stand trial, are referred to as:

Most states _ have a formal process for the certification of CST evaluators, _ specific test to determine competence.

With regard to malingering, the Court has made the following decision in the case of Morrow v. Maryland (1982):

In the case of Godinez v. Moran (1993), the Supreme Court held that separate psychological evaluations of competency to waive one's rights to counsel or plead guilty are _ a defendant has been found _.

All of the following are advantages of performing competency evaluations on an outpatient basis, EXCEPT:

In the case of Indiana v. Edwards (2008), the Supreme Court held that:

If a defendant is found incompetent to be executed, proceedings are initiated to_ so that he or she can be _.

In the U.S. legal system, the right to waive an attorney implies that the defendant:

The following consequences are likely to happen to the criminal defendant who is faking incompetency, EXCEPT:

To approve the guilty plea, judges are to question the defendant in order to establish that he or she understands the consequences: that by pleading guilty, the defendant _ important constitutional rights.

According to the text, all of the following categories of people are significantly more likely to be found incompetent, EXCEPT:

Courts can recommend forcible medication of defendants:

Psychology and Law: a Cautious Alliance

Presents Several Potential Solutions to the Problem of False Confessions Which of the Following Is Not One of These Solutions

Lie Detection

The Psychology of Forensic Identification: Dna, Fingerprints, and Physical Trace Evidence

Criminal Profiling and Psychological Autopsies

Child Sexual Abuse: Interviewing Children and the Recovered Memories of Adults

Eyewitness Identification and Testimony

Jury Selection and Trial Procedure

The Insanity Defense

Battered Woman Syndrome, Rape Trauma Syndrome, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Juries and Judges As Decision Makers

Child Custody Disputes

Workplace Law: Harassment, Discrimination, and Fairness

Predicting Violent Behavior: the Psychology of Risk Assessment

Corrections: Sentencing, Imprisonment, and Alternatives

The Death Penalty

Filters

Exam 8: Competency to Stand Trial

Which legal actors are ethically bound to assure that a defendant is competent to stand trial?

There are several important reasons why the defendant should be able to understand what is happening at every stage in the criminal justice process. Which of the following is NOT such a reason?

If you were a defendant in a criminal trial, CST would refer to several types of functions you should be able to perform. Which of the following is NOT one of these functions?

Competence to stand trial is most likely to be compromised if the accused:

According to the text, all of the following are common mental health problems diagnosed in defendants found to be incompetent to stand trial, EXCEPT:

Explain why competency to stand trial (CST) is a legal and not a psychological term. What are the key elements of CST?

Although there are _____ forensic assessment instruments available to evaluators, the vast majority of evaluators _____.

According to the text, there are several types of legal competence. Which of the following is NOT among them?

Psychological tests related specifically to legal issues, for example, for the evaluation of competence to stand trial, are referred to as:

Most states _____ have a formal process for the certification of CST evaluators, _____ specific test to determine competence.

With regard to malingering, the Court has made the following decision in the case of Morrow v. Maryland (1982):

In the case of Godinez v. Moran (1993), the Supreme Court held that separate psychological evaluations of competency to waive one's rights to counsel or plead guilty are _____ a defendant has been found _____.

All of the following are advantages of performing competency evaluations on an outpatient basis, EXCEPT:

In the case of Indiana v. Edwards (2008), the Supreme Court held that:

If a defendant is found incompetent to be executed, proceedings are initiated to_____ so that he or she can be _____.

In the U.S. legal system, the right to waive an attorney implies that the defendant:

The following consequences are likely to happen to the criminal defendant who is faking incompetency, EXCEPT:

To approve the guilty plea, judges are ____ to question the defendant in order to establish that he or she understands the consequences: that by pleading guilty, the defendant _____ important constitutional rights.

According to the text, all of the following categories of people are significantly more likely to be found incompetent, EXCEPT:

Courts can recommend forcible medication of defendants:

Psychology and Law: a Cautious Alliance

Presents Several Potential Solutions to the Problem of False Confessions Which of the Following Is Not One of These Solutions

Lie Detection

The Psychology of Forensic Identification: Dna, Fingerprints, and Physical Trace Evidence

Criminal Profiling and Psychological Autopsies

Child Sexual Abuse: Interviewing Children and the Recovered Memories of Adults

Eyewitness Identification and Testimony

Jury Selection and Trial Procedure

The Insanity Defense

Battered Woman Syndrome, Rape Trauma Syndrome, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Juries and Judges As Decision Makers

Child Custody Disputes

Workplace Law: Harassment, Discrimination, and Fairness

Predicting Violent Behavior: the Psychology of Risk Assessment

Corrections: Sentencing, Imprisonment, and Alternatives

The Death Penalty

Filters

Although there are _ forensic assessment instruments available to evaluators, the vast majority of evaluators _.

Most states _ have a formal process for the certification of CST evaluators, _ specific test to determine competence.

In the case of Godinez v. Moran (1993), the Supreme Court held that separate psychological evaluations of competency to waive one's rights to counsel or plead guilty are _ a defendant has been found _.

If a defendant is found incompetent to be executed, proceedings are initiated to_ so that he or she can be _.

To approve the guilty plea, judges are to question the defendant in order to establish that he or she understands the consequences: that by pleading guilty, the defendant _ important constitutional rights.