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RETURNING YOUR CLIENT TO COURT:
THE SLATER METHOD: AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL
TO RESTORE COMPETENCE TO STAND TRIAL
IN MENTALLY RETARDED DEFENDANTS
Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals (MHRH)
Eleanor Slater Hospital (ESH)
Cranston, Rhode Island
This packet was developed by the Eleanor Slater Hospital of the Rhode Island Department of
Mental Health Retardation and Hospitals and should not be reproduced in full or in part without
the expressed consent of Eleanor Slater Hospital. Copyright Eleanor Slater Hospital.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
istmrtt.doc
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL 1-17
A. Purpose of this Tool 1
B. Types of Impairments of Clients with Mental Retardation 2
C. How to Interview a Person with Mental Retardation 4
D. How to Use the Training Workbook 6
E. Flow Sheet for Workbook Modules 9
F. Summary of Training Workbook 10
G. What Happens When Your Client Returns to Court 11
H. Glossary 12
I. Sample Treatment Plan (for hospital use only) 14
0 WORKBOOK 18-32
A. Module 1 18
B. Module 2 20
C. Module 3 22
D. Module 4 24
E. Module 5 26
F. Photographs 28
III. ANSWER SHEETS 33-37
IV. REFERENCES 38-39
Note: Although the developmental disabilities (DD) population is not limited to persons with
mental retardation (MR), this packet uses the phrase MR instead of DD because the legal system
uses the term MR. Use of this packet to train a client does not mean that they have been
diagnosed with mental retardation. Instead, they may have some other form of DD, may have a
non-DD cognitive impairment, or are believed to have lower than average intellectual
functioning.
The pronoun “he” is used for consistency and because the majority of MR incompetent to
stand trial criminal defendants are male. However, we recognize that a minority of MR
incompetent to stand trial criminal defendants are female.
This packet was prepared by: Barry Wall, MD, Director, Forensic Service; Brandon Krupp, MD,
Director, Adult Psychiatric Service; and Tom Guilmette, PhD, neuropsychologist.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 1
I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
A. Purpose of this Training Tool
Purpose of inpatient training program: Clients are sometimes sent to Eleanor Slater
Hospital (ESH) because they are viewed by the court or by the examining physician as being
incompetent to stand trial (IST). When a mentally retarded incompetent to stand trial (MR-IST)
client is admitted to your unit, Rhode Island law says that the purpose of hospitalization is to
make them competent to stand trial (CST), if possible. The law assures that no one gets pushed
through the courts without clearly understanding what is going on. Some, but not all, MR-IST
clients can become competent to stand trial after receiving education about the trial process and
being prepared for what to expect in court. This packet is designed to help you assist your client
to return to court competent to stand trial as soon as possible. How long the client stays in the
hospital depends on how quickly they pass examinations that show that they have become
competent to stand trial.
Purpose of outpatient training program: Even when viewed by the court or by the
examining physician as being incompetent to stand trial, arrangements can sometimes be made to
keep an MR-IST client out of the hospital (see above) and out of prison. If adequate supervision
can be achieved outside the hospital, the person can receive educational programming to restore
them to competency as quickly as possible. The advantages to outpatient education include:
avoiding more intensive confinement that can foster regressive behavior; diminishing the client's
anxiety about the learning process; and providing education by staff that the client already knows
and trusts.
What does incompetent to stand trial mean? It usually means one or more of the
following:
1). The client does not understand the charge and potential consequences; and/or,
2). The client does not understand the trial process; and/or,
3). The client is not able to participate in his/her defense.
You can help your client become competent to stand trial by asking them questions
focusing on and helping them learn more about:
1). The criminal charge(s) against them and the potential consequences; and/or,
2). The trial process; and/or,
3). How to cooperate with their attorney.
This packet will help you be able to interview your client, discuss their case with them,
and educate them to better their understanding of what will happen when they go to court.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 2
I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
B. Types of Impairments in Mentally Retarded Persons
Mental retardation often impairs a person's ability to function in more than one way.
Three areas of deficits are especially relevant to competency to stand trial: cognitive
impairments; impairments in communication; and emotional/behavioral impairments.
(Appelbaum, 1994)
1). Cognitive impairments: Cognitive skills are those needed to carry out activities
involved in intellectual functioning, such as remembering, perceiving, judging, and
reasoning. Persons with mental retardation may have cognitive deficits such as:
a). Attentional impairments. Clients can have problems paying attention because of
attending to the wrong stimulus. (Longhurst, 1975) Clients may have difficulty
resisting irrelevant distractions, particularly in noisy rooms. This may make it
difficult for them to maintain proper focus during courtroom proceedings or during
meetings with their attorneys.
b). Memory impairments. Persons with mental retardation often have difficulty
remembering information. Often, their poor memory is because they never realized
the information was important for them to know. (Luftig, 1982) Don't be surprised if
your client forgets what you taught him only a couple of days ago. It can take him
much longer to remember newly learned information, so you may have to go over the
same material many times to ensure retention.
c). Impaired logical reasoning and problem solving abilities. Clients with mental
retardation can have deficits in reasoning, foresight and strategic thinking. This may
make it difficult for the client to plan legal strategy with their attorney. For example,
if a client is charged with burglary (a more serious charge than breaking and
entering), they need to be able to tell their attorney that they broke into the building
in order to keep warm but had no intention of stealing (if this is the truth). This
differentiation in criminal intent could make the client eligible to enter a plea bargain
for breaking and entering (a lesser charge) instead of burglary.
d). Decreased ability to learn from mistakes. Clients may be intellectually inflexible
and have a tendency to rely on familiar, and often unsuccessful, strategies and
behaviors (see below).
2). Impairments in communication. Clients with mental retardation can have
communication problems, for a number of reasons:
a). Poor articulation. For example, a client may pronounce the word "judge" as
"George." This type of impairment may make it difficult for courtroom personnel to
understand what the client is saying.
b). Limited vocabulary. For example, the client may understand and use the word
"lawyer," yet they may not know the word "attorney." In this instance, the court may
believe that the client does not understand the function of an attorney when the client
really understands the attorney's role.
c). Impaired syntax.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
B. Types of Impairments in Mentally Retarded Persons (continued)
d). Difficulty answering questions. The client may have trouble putting into words
concepts that they really understand. The court may erroneously believe that the client
does not understand what is going on in court.
e). Inability to read or write. The client may pretend to read a paper and say that they
understand it. However, you will not know whether the client can really read unless
you test them by asking them to read aloud.
f). Mimicking responses or answers to questions. Clients can have a tendency to
answer "yes" to questions, especially when they do not understand the question or if
they do not know the answer to the question. (Sigelman, 1981) They can also have a
desire to get your approval, and this can enhance their suggestibility. If the client
repeatedly says, "yes, I understand" in the courtroom, they may not really understand
what is happening.
3). Emotional/behavioral impairments: Persons with mental retardation can respond to
stress with a limited repertoire of emotional responses and behaviors, including:
a). Passivity and withdrawal. They may see themselves as dominated by others and can
lack a feeling of control over their own environment. These feelings of helplessness
can lead to acquiescence in an attempt to please authority. They often yield to social
pressures even if required to give an answer they know is wrong. (Sigelman, 1981) For
example, if the judge asks the client, "Do you understand?" during court proceedings,
the client may respond by saying, "Yes" even though they do not understand what is
going on.
b). Angry outbursts. They may have difficulty inhibiting their anger, leading to
disruptive outbursts in the courtroom. This may result in physical acts to express anger,
frustration and stress. For example, a MR-IST client may repeatedly stand up and yell
in court as a way of expressing their frustration.
The three deficit areas listed above often interact with each other to compound the client's
impairments. For example, if a MR-IST client is mainly looking for positive feedback from you
in a desire to please you, they might shift attention away from the discussion about court and
instead just focus on looking to you for approval. A full discussion of impairments in trial-related
competencies of MR clients can be found in the two Appelbaum articles (Appelbaum, 1994 and
Appelbaum and Appelbaum, 1994).
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
C. How to Interview a Person with Mental Retardation
1. Use simple language. (e.g. - Don't use the term "prosecuting attorney" unless they know
what it means. An acceptable substitute may be the lawyer on the other side or "the bad
lawyer.")
2. Speak slowly, clearly, and calmly. Do not raise your voice or push the client too hard.
Increasing the client's anxiety will only make it harder for them to learn.
3. Use concrete terms and ideas.
4. Avoid questions that give part of the answer within the question (leading questions). [Note:
During module training, there will be times when you will be instructed to ask questions that
contain previously learned material.]
5. Ask open-ended questions. Depending on the client's abilities, try to phrase questions to
avoid "yes" or "no" answers. Answers to open-ended questions can be harder to understand
than yes-no responses, but simple reliance on yes or no answers may lead to the assumption
that the client has understood the answer when she really may not understand the question at
all. (Appelbaum and Appelbaum, 1994)
6. Repeat questions from a slightly different perspective. This will help you make sure that the
client is not merely parroting back answers.
7. Proceed slowly and give praise and encouragement.
8. Avoid frustrating questions about time, complex sequences or reasons for behavior. (e.g.
Don't ask, "What date were you arrested?" or "How long ago was that?" unless you know that
they can tell time and can keep track of dates.)
9. Of course, you would never make fun of the person because you know that they will sense it
and become less cooperative. But also be sure that you do not show any frustration that you
may have toward the client.
10. Highlight important information to improve memory retention. (For example, say, "Now pay
attention. What I'm about to say is very important and you need to remember this... [then
provide the information].")
11. Repeat important information. This also helps with memory retention.
12. Cut down on distractions. (e.g. Don't interview them in the day room of a busy ward).
13. If a client does not communicate effectively or responds inappropriately to questions, give
them direct, explicit feedback. (e.g. "No, that's not right" or "You're saying it too fast - slow
down.")
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
C. How to Interview a Person with Mental Retardation (continued)
14. Be careful not to nod your head "yes" or "no", or to give other nonverbal cues that may
inadvertently aid the client in answering the question.
15. It may be best to take short breaks. Clients often do better learning material with multiple,
short sessions rather than a few, long sessions.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
D. How to Use the Training Workbook
1. CONTENT OF THE WORKBOOK:
The workbook is divided into five educational modules. The modules are designed to
help you ask questions and therefore teach your patient about the legal process. Because the
impairments in competency to stand trial abilities are specific to each patient, you need to know
the specific impairments that your client has. Then, you can tailor the educational sessions to
focus on your client's weaknesses. A member of the Forensic Service will meet with you to
discuss your client's specific impairments and will give you a training session on the use of this
manual before you get started.
The five modules are:
Module 1: Purpose of Training; Review of Charges, Pleas, and Potential Consequences
Module 2: Courtroom Personnel
Module 3: Courtroom Proceedings, Trial, and Plea Bargain
Module 4: Communicating with Attorney, Giving Testimony, and Assisting in Defense
Module 5: Tolerating Stress of Proceedings
Each module lists sample questions represented in bold type that you can ask the client.
You are encouraged to make up new questions to keep the client from memorizing the questions;
however, remember that each module session is designed to assess very specific content areas.
Try to keep this in mind and not veer too far off topic as you vary the questions. Examples of
satisfactory answers to questions are listed in parentheses.
You will use a separate answer sheet to record two things: the client's responses; and your
assessment of the quality of the client's response. By doing this, you can document the progress
that the client is (or is not) making. For example, after meeting with someone for several
sessions, you may document an improvement by writing something like: "At first, Ms. Smith
thought that all the lawyers in the courtroom were there to help her. After a week of talking about
the courtroom process, she now understands that the prosecution will try to put her in jail."
Pages 20-24 of this packet contain ten photographs that can assist you in working with
the client. Use these photos to ask them who sits where in court and then have them describe
what each character does. Use the photos of witnesses to make up stories about what a witness
might say about them, or what the client might say if they serve as a witness.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
D. How to Use the Training Workbook (continued)
2. THE TRAINING PROCESS
There are many ways to evaluate a person's understanding of material presented to them;
this training workbook focuses on two ways of assessing such understanding. First, this packet
attempts to get the client to demonstrate their understanding of a concept by putting it into their
own words. Asking people to rephrase what has been taught to them is a good way to assess their
understanding of the material. (Grisso 1986)
The second way of assessing understanding used in this workbook is to ask direct
questions whose answers rely on processing the information that you taught the client during
phase I. It is sometimes difficult to have a person with mental retardation answer open-ended
questions spontaneously. Furthermore, recognition of information learned previously when cued
by a question is easier for everyone than spontaneous recall. For these reasons, each module gives
understanding-based training questions to help you probe for and assess your client's
understanding of the information.
A system of questions is presented that builds upon knowledge conveyed through each
preceding question. (Coles 1996) Questions that assess understanding are placed in the manual
after the basic knowledge questions because they require use of this knowledge in a more
sophisticated way. The problem that may occur is that by repeatedly going over the same
questions and answers, you may be demonstrating their knowledge of a greater number of details
of the same basic information, or be testing their ability to memorize answers, rather than testing
their appreciation of concepts. This is a common dilemma in assessing a person's understanding.
(Coles 1996)
The process of educating your client will occur by presenting the five educational
modules. Each module is administered in sequential order (Module 1, then Module 2, etc.) over a
variable period of time. Some clients may take only a session to complete a module, while other
clients may take many sessions to complete a module. Module training will occur in two phases.
Phase I: In the first phase of module training, you will provide knowledge-based training.
During this phase, you will give your client basic information about the legal system for them to
learn by rote. This phase of training is like cramming for a test, where you just focus on knowing
the information presented. Knowledge-based training covers all three domains of impairment
(cognitive, communication, and emotions/behavior) discussed in Section II of this packet. The
goals of knowledge-based training are listed in column A of Table 1: "Summary of Training
Program Workbook." In each module, knowledge based questions are located in column A.
During Phase I knowledge-based training, you will present knowledge-based questions only
(column A), skipping the understanding-based questions (column B).
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
D. How to Use the Training Workbook (continued)
Phase II: In the second phase of module training, you will provide understanding-based training.
This is the more important phase of training. You will work to help the client understand the
meaning of the material that they learned in the first phase. Understanding the meaning of what you
have taught them is much different than simply being able to reproduce the message. It is an active
process of making sense of the information, and it ensures that the client is not merely "parroting"
back information that you have taught them. The goals of understanding-based training are listed in
column B of Table 1. During understanding based training, you will present understanding-based
questions (column B) in addition to knowledge-based questions (column A) for each module. In
this section, whenever possible, you should try your best to encourage your client to spontaneously
express their understanding of the information that you are reviewing.
Complete the modules by following the Flow Sheet (page 8). First, you will take the
client through Phase I and Phase II of all five modules to create a summary of his answers before
training to establish a baseline. Next, you will return to the knowledge-based training of Phase I
three times. After you have completed the third assessment of all five modules in Phase I, report
back to the Forensic Service. We will work together to tailor the understanding-based portion of
training. If you think that you are having trouble with one module and need help, call the Forensic
Service at 464-2013 or Dr. Wall at 464-1572. When you complete both phases and all modules
as instructed, contact the Forensic Service and we will arrange for the final phase of training, role
playing sessions in mock court.
WARNING: WHEN USING YOUR ANSWER SHEET, NEVER
WRITE DOWN A DEFENDANT'S INCRIMINATING
STATEMENTS! OBTAINING A CONFESSION IS NOT PART
OF RESTORING A PERSON'S COMPETENCE TO STAND
TRIAL.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 9
I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
E. Flow Sheet For Workbook Modules
Step 1: Phases I & II, Modules 1-5: Ask and record knowledge-based training (column A)
and understanding based training (column B) for all modules to obtain a baseline.
Phase I: KNOWLEDGE-BASED TRAINING
Step 2: Phase I, Module 1: Knowledge-based training only (Column A). Go through this module a minimum of three times. When all answers are fair or good, move to the next
step.
Step 3: Phase I, Module 2: Knowledge-based training only (Column A). Go through this module a minimum of three times. When all answers are fair or good, move to the next
step.
Step 4: Phase I, Module 3: Knowledge-based training only (Column A). Go through this module a minimum of three times. When all answers are fair or good, move to the next
step.
Step 5: Phase I, Module 4: Knowledge-based training only (Column A). Go through this module a minimum of three times. When all answers are fair or good, move to the next
step.
Step 6: Phase I, Module 5: Knowledge-based training only (Column A). Go through this module a minimum of three times. When all answers are fair or good, move to the next
step.
Step 7: Call the Forensic Service (see page 7).
Phase II: UNDERSTANDING -BASED TRAINING
Step 8: Phase II, Module 1: Knowledge-based AND understanding-based training (Columns
A & B). Go through this module a minimum of three times. When all answers are
fair or good, move to the next step.
Step 9: Phase II, Module 2: Knowledge-based AND understanding-based training (Columns
A & B). Go through this module a minimum of three times. When all answers are
fair or good, move to the next step.
Step 10: Phase II, Module 3: Knowledge-based AND understanding-based training (Columns
A & B). Go through this module a minimum of three times. When all answers are
fair or good, move to the next step.
Step 11: Phase II, Module 4: Knowledge-based AND understanding-based training (Columns
A & B). Go through this module a minimum of three times. When all answers are
fair or good, move to the next step.
Step 12: Phase II, Module 5: Knowledge-based AND understanding-based training (Columns
A & B). Go through this module a minimum of three times. When all answers are
fair or good, move to the next step.
Step 13: Contact the Forensic Service when you believe that your client is ready for a "dress
rehearsal" in mock court.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
F. Summary of Training Program Workbook
Column A Column B
MR Impairment Knowledge-based training Understanding-based
training
Cognition
The client must learn:
the purpose of training
sessions. (1*)
the charges. (1)
possible pleas. (1)
potential consequences.
(1)
the role of courtroom
personnel. (2)
the purpose of going to
court. (3)
the purpose of going to
trial. (3)
The client must understand
that:
this is an adversarial
proceeding, and that they
are the accused (1,3)
they cannot be punished
just because they are
accused. (1,3)
a plea is different from a
finding. (1,3)
the case may go to trial,
but it probably won't.
(1,3,4)
a plea bargain means
giving up some rights.
(1,3)
Communication
The client must learn:
the important of speaking
with their attorney. (4)
the importance of listening
in court. (4)
the importance of not
saying "yes" if they don't
understand something. (4)
how to testify
appropriately. (4)
The client must be able to:
understand that the
opposing counsel may try
to trip him up.
tell their story without
self-incrimination.
tell all details of their
story to their attorney.
resist leading questions
appreciate and be able to
stick to a defense strategy
Emotions & Behavior
The client must learn:
to display appropriate
behavior (5)
to not display
inappropriate behavior (5)
Role playing sessions to
assess ability to tolerate
stress of courtroom
proceedings. (1-5)
* Numbers in parentheses denote the main module number(s) where this information is reviewed.
Module 1: Purpose of Training; Review of Charges, Pleas, and Potential Consequences
Module 2: Courtroom Personnel
Module 3: Courtroom Proceedings, Trial, and Plea Bargain
Module 4: Communicating with Attorney, Giving Testimony, and Assisting in Defense Module 5: Tolerating Stress of Proceedings
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
G. What Happens when Your Client Returns to Court
At the end of this training, it is hoped that you client will become competent to assist
counsel (that is, that s/he will know and have a basic understanding of the conditions for
participating in his/her own defense), understand their charges, the potential consequences, and
understand the trial process. However, a potential problem with this training is that a client who is
provisionally competent to assist counsel may have difficulty making specific decisions that are
encountered as the process unfolds. For this reason, you may be asked to accompany your client
to court. It may become necessary for you to help the client appreciate the decisions s/he may
have to make and to communicate with their attorney.
Just as you will be training your client about how to relate to the court, we plan to inform
the judge and the attorneys about how to interact with a mentally retarded client. We inform them
that it is important to provide a safe environment for the client in order to decrease his/her level of
stress. We will also recommend that attorney/client meetings be conducted in the presence of
someone the client knows. We help attorneys understand how to ask questions to your clients. For
example, we will inform them that yes/no questions are often less valid than open-ended
questions. We will also encourage them to speak slowly, and give praise and encouragement to
help your client communicate better. We will inform attorneys about the importance of
highlighting important information to improve your client's attention and memory retention. We
will recommend that the client be allowed additional time for meetings and court proceedings to
ensure that they are able to follow the gist of the hearing. We will also identify the client's
remaining limitations after they have received this training program.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
H. Glossary
Arraignment
The United States Constitution requires that an accused person be brought before a judge
promptly. Shortly after arrest, a judge informs the defendant of the charges against him and
of his rights. The process of being formally informed of the charges is the arraignment.
Competence to stand trial
In Rhode Island courts, a defendant is competent to stand trial if he is able to understand the
character and consequences of the proceedings against him, and is able to properly assist in
his defense.
Confidentiality
The discussions between the defendant and the attorney are confidential, just as they usually
are between mental health providers and patient.
District Attorney
The district attorney is the state's lawyer. He will prosecute the defendant on behalf of the
people of the State of Rhode Island.
Evidence
Evidence is the means used in court to ascertain the truth. Evidence can be writings, letters,
or objects that have direct bearing on the case, such as a weapon. Evidence can also be the
testimony of witnesses. Evidence can be direct or indirect (circumstantial).
Felony
Felony cases carry more severe penalties than misdemeanors, and include crimes like
robbery, theft of large amounts of money, assaults, kidnapping, and murder.
Judge
The judge controls the proceedings and is responsible for the conduct of a fair trial. The
judge needs the help of others - lawyers, jurors, witnesses, and the court staff. The judge
interprets and applies the law. In the absence of a jury, the judge makes the final
determination of the case.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
H. Glossary (continued)
Jury
A panel usually composed of six or twelve men and women who decide questions and facts.
They hear the evidence and decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
Misdemeanors
These are cases where the defendant can be fined or sent to jail for a year or less.
Nolo Contendre (No contest)
A no contest plea means that the defendant is choosing not to fight the charges. It is
technically the same as a guilty plea. It is not a plea for mercy. You go directly to
sentencing, just as in a plea of guilty. Typically, since a no contest plea means that both sides
(before trial) have agreed upon a lighter sentence for the case, this plea is often used as a
means of plea-bargaining.
Plea
A defendant's answer to a criminal charge or indictment.
Plea bargaining
This means that an agreement is made between the prosecution and the defense. This "deal"
specifies the charges and the kind of punishment.
Preliminary hearing
The preliminary hearing is not a trial. At this hearing, the judge does not determine guilt or
innocence, but only whether there is enough evidence to require the defendant to stand trial.
Public Defender
The public defender is a lawyer hired by the state to represent defendants at no cost to them.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
I. Sample treatment plan form
(For inpatient use only) The next three pages consist of a sample treatment plan for the
problem of restoring competence to stand trial. By documenting responses to questions, you will
be able to document specific areas of improvement. More importantly, you will be able to see
where the client may still be having trouble learning about court, and you will know to shift your
focus of education to the weaker areas. Lawyers may review the records to see whether they want
to challenge our opinion about the client's capabilities. It is therefore important to document your
meetings, and the client's strengths and weaknesses, for both clinical and legal reasons.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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SAMPLE TREATMENT PLAN
ELEANOR SLATER HOSPITAL
ADULT PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES [APS]
PATIENT’S LAST NAME FIRST MI AGE DOB
[ Sample Case ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
WARD CURRENT ADMISSION CURRENT PLAN CASE
[ ] [ 3/01/97 ] [ 3/01/97 ] [ ]
PROBLEM LIST
PROBLEM DATE PROBLEM DC
#1). 3/01/97 Incompetent to stand trial
Does not understand the roles of attorneys, jury, and
witnesses.
Becomes upset and yells when discussing legal charge or
court proceedings.
Does not understand possible pleas.
#2). 3/01/97 History of mental retardation
#3). 3/01/97 Low mood, irritable mood
DSM-IV DIAGNOSIS:
Axis: I Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Disturbance of Conduct and Emotions
Axis : II Mental Retardation
Axis : III Hypertension
Axis: IV Psychosocial stressors: Lost least on apartment; ? of disposition
Axis V: Current GAF: 50
Highest GAF in the past year: 65
TREATMENT PLAN REVIEW DATES:
Review Date # 1. 6/97 Review Date # 2. 9/97 Review Date # 3. 12/97
To be totally redone at least annually
on: Date of Annual: 3/98
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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SAMPLE CARE PLANS PROBLEMS AND OBJECTIVES
PROBLEM 1 : DESCRIPTION: Incompetent to stand trial
• Determined by Dr. Wall on 3/1/97; he said she yells and cries when discussing the
charges and that she lacks a basic understanding about the courtroom process.
Scheduled return to court on 4/15/97.
LONG TERM GOALS:
• The patient will be found competent to stand trial and released from the unit.
SHORT - TERM GOALS [IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES]:
• Patient will be able to define the roles of the courtroom personnel in her own words.
• The patient will not become upset and yell when talking about court. She will
communicate without raising her voice or threatening others.
Expected achievement dates: #1 4/15/97 #2 4/15/97 #3 #4
Date: 3/97 Review Date#1 6/97 Review Date #2 9/97 Review Date #3 12/97
INTERVENTIONS: [SEE DETAILS ON THE REVERSE SIDE]
Medication: v PRN/Restraint: Individual Meetings/Activities: v
Off-Site: On Site: Community Ward Meetings:
Work Activity: Expressive Therapy: Behavior Therapy:
Meetings with Family & Significant Others: Community Activities:
Individual and Close Supervision: Other: Restoration of competency
training tool
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 17
SAMPLE PLANS FOR
TREATMENT / INTERVENTIONS
CRITERIA FOR TERMINATION OF TREATMENT:
• The patient will be found competent to stand trial, or will be discharged as
permanently incompetent or restorable in the community if competency restoration is
not achievable within the hospital.
DISCIPLINES INVOLVED IN TREATING THIS PROBLEM:
Medical/Psychiatry: v Nursing: Nurse Assistant: Psychology: v
Social Service: v Activity: Expressive Therapy: Pastoral:
MHW: Dietary: Other: v
PSYCHIATRY: Dr. Wall
• To meet with the patient twice or more prior to her return to court in order to re-
evaluate her ability to meet competency criteria; also, to prepare a written report to
the court.
PSYCHIATRY: Dr. X
• ? Mood stabilizing medication ?
• To meet with the patient 4 times per week for ten minutes.
• Training sessions using the MHRH “Preparing for Court” workbook.
• Particular emphasis will be made on defining the roles of courtroom personnel.
PSYCHOLOGY: Mr. Y., Lic S.W.
• To meet with the patient 4 times per week for ten minutes.
• Training sessions using the MHRH “Preparing for Court” workbook.
• Particular emphasis will be made on defining the roles of courtroom personnel.
SOCIAL SERVICE: Ms. Z., M.A.
• To meet with the patient 4 times per week for ten minutes.
• Training sessions using the MHRH “Preparing for Court” workbook.
• Particular emphasis will be made on defining the roles of courtroom personnel.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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II. WORKBOOK
A. Module 1: Purpose of Training; Review of Charges, Pleas and Potential Consequences
[Questions are examples; elaborate on them or add new questions to foster discussion.
Samples of acceptable answers are in parentheses.]
Column A:
Knowledge-based Questions
Column B:
Understanding-based Questions
1. Who sent you here? (The judge; a doctor.)
2. How come you're here? (Cause the judge
says I'm not fit for trial; Because the doctor
says I have to learn about court.)
3. A charge is the thing people say you did
that is against the law. What is your
charge? 4. What does the charge mean? (e.g. if the
charge is arson, a correct response would be,
"They said I set a fire.")
5. What did the police say you did?
6. On what date did this happen? About
what time? (If they don't understand the
concept of time, simply teach them the date of
the offense so they will have it memorized for
court.)
7. What is a crime? (It's when you do
something bad and break the law).
8. What is a plea? (It's the answer I give when
the judge asks me if I did it.)
9. You get to choose what answer (or plea)
you want to give. How many pleas can you
choose from? (Three) [If the client cannot
generate a response, offer them a multiple-
choice answer.]
A. How come you're in trouble? (Some
people say I did something bad. They say I did
a crime.)
B. Just because you're in trouble, does that
mean you go to jail? (No.) How come?
(Because I have to tell them I'm guilty or they
have to prove I'm guilty before they can punish
me. They have to prove it first.)
C. Is it a crime to steal a candy bar? (Yes.)
Why? (Because you didn't pay for it. Because
it's against the law.) [Another way to ask this
line of questioning at a later time may be: Is it
a crime to buy a candy bar? (No.) Why?
(Because you paid for it.)
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 19
Module 1: Purpose of Training; Review of Charges, Pleas and Potential Consequences
(continued)
Column A:
Knowledge-based Questions
Column B:
Understanding-based Questions
10. What are they? (Guilty; innocent or not
guilty; nolo.) [Use the word innocent if the
client repeatedly mixes up the words guilty and
not guilty]
11. What does it mean to say you're [or
plead] guilty? (When they ask me if I did it, I
tell them yes I did it.)
12. What does it mean to say you're [or
plead] innocent? (When they ask me if I did it,
I tell them no I did not do it.)
13. What does it mean to say you're [or
plead] nolo? (When they ask me if I did it, I
tell them I'll take a deal.)
14. What does it mean to be found guilty?
(The other side shows that I did it. The judge
or jury says that I really did do it.)
15. What does it mean to be found not
guilty? (The judge or jury says that I really
didn't do it. The other side couldn't show that I
did it.)
16. What would happen to you if they said
you were guilty? (I get some kind of a
punishment. I may have to go to jail.)
17. What would happen to you if they said
you are not guilty? (I get to go back to the
group home/other living arrangement).
18. What is probation? (I get to go home, but
if I do something bad I have to go back to jail.)
19. What is a sentence? (It's my punishment if
they say I did it. It's how long I have to stay in
jail or how long I have to be on probation.)
D. Why does somebody have to tell the judge
whether they are guilty, not guilty, or nolo? (Because you have to give the judge an answer
to the question before the judge or jury can
decide your case. I am answering the question
about whether I did it or not.)
E. Is what you tell the judge the same thing
as what the judge or jury finally decides?
(Is a plea the same thing as a finding
[verdict]?) (No.) Why is did not the same?
(The finding is what the judge decides about
my case. She will decide if I'm guilty or
innocent.)
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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II. WORKBOOK
B. Module 2: Review of Courtroom Personnel
[Questions are examples; elaborate on them or add new questions to foster discussion.
Samples of acceptable answers are in parentheses.]
Column A:
Knowledge-based Questions
Column B:
Understanding-based Questions
Show them the photos of the courtroom and
ask them who sits where. As they name the
judge, jury, lawyer, etc, ask them the
following questions:
1. What is the job of the judge? (Make sure
that everybody plays fair. Decides whether I
am innocent or guilty if there is no jury.)
2. Can you talk to the judge? (Yes.) When
can you talk to the judge? (Only if she asks
me a question.)
3. What is the job of the jury? (Decides
whether I am guilty or innocent. If there is no
jury, the judge decides.)
4. Can you talk to the jury? (No.) When can
you talk to the jury? (Never.)
5. What is the job of your lawyer? (Tries to
help me out. Talks to me. Gives me advice.
Helps me figure out what to do what to say.
Listens to me when I talk to him.)
6. Can you talk to your lawyer? (Yes.)
When can you talk to your lawyer? (Before I
go to court. When I am in court.)
7. What is the job of the other side's lawyer?
(Tries to convince the judge or jury that I did
it.)
8. Can you talk to the other side's lawyer?
(Yes.) When can you talk to the other side's
lawyer? (Only when he asks me a question
when I am on the witness stand.)
A. How come the jury listens to your side of
the story? (They are supposed to listen to
my side and to the other side, then decide
whom they believe.)
B. How come the other side's lawyer wants
to make you look bad? (His job is to try to
make the judge or jury put me in jail.)
C. Who is on your side in the court? (My
lawyer, my family [depending on the charge].)
D. Who is not on your side? (The other
lawyer. The judge and the jury are neutral.
Some witnesses may not be on my side.)
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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Module 2: Review of Courtroom Personnel
(continued)
Column A:
Knowledge-based Questions
Column B:
Understanding-based Questions
9. What is a witness? (Somebody who was
there when it happens. They come in and talk
about what they saw.)
10. Can you talk to a witness? (No.) When
can you talk to a witness? (Never.)
11. If another person sits in the box, what
are they called? (A witness.) Are you
allowed to talk to them? (No.)
12. What do you do when someone is sitting
in the box talking? (Sit quietly. I can't talk to
them.)
13. What is your job when you go to court?
(To listen to everything that is happening. To
tell my attorney if I don't understand
something. To talk to my lawyer about my
case. Maybe to be a witness.)
14. Can you be a witness? (Yes.) When are
you a witness? (When I sit in the witness box.)
15. What is your job if you sit in the
(witness) box? (To tell the truth. To answer the
questions the lawyers and the judge ask me. To
tell the judge or my lawyer if I don't understand
the question.)
E. Is the judge on your side? (She is in the
middle/neutral. She does not take sides until
the end.)
F. Who's neutral? (The jury and the judge,
until the end when one of them decides about
my case.)
G. Show them the photograph of a witness
testifying and ask them who is sitting where.
As they name the judge, attorney, and
witness, you can review the above questions
with them to make sure that they
understand the scenario.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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II. WORKBOOK
C. Module 3: Review of Courtroom Proceedings, Trial, and Plea Bargain
[Questions are examples; elaborate on them or add new questions to foster discussion.
Samples of acceptable answers are in parentheses.]
Column A:
Knowledge-based Questions
Column B:
Understanding-based Questions
1. What happens when you get to court?
(Many people in the court talk about you.
Your case is presented.)
2. Having a trial is different from just going
to court. There is a trial only if you plead not
guilty [innocent]. I you plead guilty or nolo,
there is no trial- instead, the judge just gives
you the sentence.
a). If you say you’re guilty, is there a trial? (No.)
b). If you say [plead] innocent, is there a
trial? (Yes.)
c). If you say [plead] nolo, is there a trial? (No.) [Because these are yes/no questions, repeat from a
different perspective to make sure the
client knows. e.g. What are your possible
pleas? [Guilty, innocent and nolo].
Which plea is it where they would have a
trial?]
3. What happens during a trial? (Both sides
get to tell their story. One side gets to go first,
then the other side gets to go. Each side asks
questions. The judge and jury listen to both
sides. Then they decide whether you are guilty
or innocent.)
4. There might not be a trial. If you just tell
them you are guilty or take a deal (nolo),
then you don't need a trial. If there is no
trial, what happens? (I take a plea/deal. The
judge gives me a sentence. They don't listen to
both sides. There is no jury.)
5. Taking a plea means that you admit you
did something bad, you are making a deal to
get any easier punishment . What’s good
about taking a plea? (It might keep me out of
jail. It might let me stay at group home.)
A. How come you have to go to court?
(Because they say I did something wrong, and
when they say you did something wrong, they
give you a charge and they take you to court.
Because that's how the law works to decide if
I'm guilty or not guilty.)
B. Why don't you need a trial if you plead
guilty or take a deal? (Because they already
have an answer to the question since I told
them I’m guilty or that I did something bad.)
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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Module 3: Review of Courtroom Proceedings, Trial, and Plea Bargain
(continued)
Column A:
Knowledge-based Questions
Column B:
Understanding-based Questions
6. There are also some bad things about
taking a plea (making a deal). You must
give up some rights. If you take a deal, you
give up the chance to go to trial and let the
jury decide.
-You have to admit that you did something
bad.
-You don't get the chance to go back to court
and have them listen to your story again (an
appeal).
-You will definitely get some kind of a
punishment, even though you might get no
punishment if they found you not guilty at
trial.
What are the bad things about taking a
deal? (I may have to tell them I did something
bad, even if I didn't do it or if I don't want to. I
don't get a second chance to talk about the
charge. Nobody gets to listen to my side of the
story in court.)
7. Will you go to trial? (I won't know until me
and my lawyer talks. It isn't likely. Note: this
depends on the charge. Talk to the Forensic
Service about this.)
8. What happens when you take a plea
(make a deal)? (I have to say I did something
bad. I don't get a trial. I don't get a chance to go
back to court if I don't like how everything
turns out.)
C. How come you probably won't go to trial?
(Because they probably want me to
take a deal.)
D. When is it that there is no jury? (When I
take a deal.) How come that is? (Because
when I take a deal, there is no trial.)
E. What's in it for you if you take a deal? (I
probably won't have to go to jail. I'll probably
just get probation.)
F. When could you go to court and not have
a trial? (When you go to court, they
talk about your case and your court
dates. A trial is a special thing that
happens only if you say you are
innocent. If you say you are
innocent, they have a trial so they
can listen to both sides of the story
before the judge/jury decide who
they believe. If you say you're guilty
or take a deal, you do not have a
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 24
trial.)
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 25
II. WORKBOOK
D. Module 4: Review of Working with Attorney/Assisting in Defense
[Questions are examples; elaborate on them or add new questions to foster discussion.
Samples of acceptable answers are in parentheses.]
Column A:
Knowledge-based Questions
Column B:
Understanding-based Questions
1. Who will you talk to before you go into
the courtroom? (My lawyer.)
2. Who can you talk to in court whenever
you want to? (My lawyer.)
3. You can also speak to other people in
court, but only when they ask you a
question. Who are these people? (I can only
talk to the judge when she asks me a question. I
can only talk to the other side's lawyer when he
asks me a question when I am on the witness
stand.)
4. Who can you never talk to in court? (I
can't talk to the jury. I can't talk to a witness.)
5. If you have to go to the bathroom while
you are in court, who can you tell this to? (My lawyer.)
6. If you don't understand what is being said
about you in court, who can you tell this to? (My lawyer.)
7. What do you say to him if you don't
understand what is being said? (I say, “I
don't know what is going on.”)
8. What are the things you need to tell your
lawyer? (Ask the client to tell you their story
of what happened. If there important parts are
left out, help them make it fluent, but don’t add
new material and don’t write down
incriminating information. If you don’t know
what happened, contact the Forensic Service
and we will discuss the police report].)
9.Let's go over the story of what happened.
(Review their version. Highlight important
details.)
10.What do you do if a witness tells a lie
about you? (Tell my lawyer.)
A. Why is it important to tell your lawyer if
you don't understand what is being said? (Everybody is here in court to talk about me.
My job is to make sure that I know what people
are saying about my case. I might miss
something.)
B. Let's talk about what you just told me
(question 9). What are the most important
things that you told me? Why are these
things important?
C. Why do you tell your lawyer if somebody
lies about you? (I'm not supposed to talk to the
witness myself. I need to tell my attorney
because the lie might make me look bad.)
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
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Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 27
Module 4:Review of Working With Attorney/Assisting in Defense
(continued)
Column A:
Knowledge-based Questions
Column B:
Understanding-based Questions
11. What do you do if a witness says a mean
thing about you or something about you that
you don't like? (Tell my lawyer.)
12. What do you do if your lawyer tells you
to do something that you don't like? For
instance, what if he wants you to change
your story? (Tell my lawyer so we can talk
about it. Tell somebody that I know, like
[name of family member, staff person].)
13. What would you do if your lawyer wants
you to take a deal and you don't want to? (Talk to him about it. Tell him I don't want to.)
14. If you talk with your lawyer about a
deal, and he still wants you to take it, and
you aren't happy about it, who else can you
talk to? (Family member; staff member.)
15. The other side's attorney may try to
confuse you on the witness stand. When
they ask you a question that you don't
understand, what would be the wrong thing
to say? (Yes, I understand.) What will you say
instead? (I don't know what you are saying.
Ask me again.)
D. Why do you tell your lawyer if somebody
says things about you that you don't like? (I'm not supposed to talk to the witness myself.
I need to tell my attorney because I want to
look as good as possible.)
E. Why is that important? (Because my
lawyer should help me in court. If I don't feel
comfortable with my lawyer, I should tell
somebody.)
F. Why is that? (Because it's my choice about
whether I want to take a deal if they offer me a
deal. I have my rights.)
G. Take the client through several examples
of leading questions. Try to get them to
follow your lead, and then show them how
they are being led so that they will recognize
the pattern themselves. Then, work with
them to resist answering leading questions,
and have them practice asking for
clarification if they do not understand a
question. The Forensic Service will go over
specific examples with you before training.
H. If somebody you know got arrested for
stealing and he really didn’t do it but he
wanted to take the deal, why is that a
problem? (Then go through examples; e.g.
“This is John. He is the defendant. This is
Mr. Smith, his lawyer. What is John accused
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 28
of?”
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 29
II. WORKBOOK
E. Module 5- Tolerating Stress of Proceedings
[Questions are examples; elaborate on them or add new questions to foster discussion.
Samples of acceptable answers are in parentheses.]
Column A:
Knowledge-based Questions
Column B:
Understanding-based Questions
1. How are you supposed to behave in court?
(Be nice. Don't yell. Talk to my lawyer.)
2.Can you laugh in court? (No.) [Repeat
yes/no questions from a different perspective.]
3. Is it good to sit quietly in court? (Yes.)
4. Does that mean you can never talk in
court? (No. I can talk in court sometimes.)
5. Can you tell jokes/yell/etc. in court? (No.)
[Repeat yes/no questions from a different
perspective.] Why not? (Because going to
court is serious. Because I have to look good.)
6. Is it good to talk quietly in court? (Yes.)
7. Can you get mad in court? (Yes, but I can't
yell or scream.) What do you do if you are
getting very upset? (Tell my lawyer. Ask to
take a break.)
8. Can you walk around in court? (Not while
they are talking about my case.) [Repeat yes/no
questions from a different perspective.] Why
not? (Because I have to look good. Because it's
not allowed.)
9. What would happen if you got up and
talked directly to the judge? (They would tell
me I have to sit down. They might get upset.)
10. What would happen if you got angry and
screamed and yelled in court? (They would
take me out of the courtroom.)
A. Why can't you laugh/yell/scream in
court? (Because I have to look good. Because
going to court is serious.)
B. Why is it important to speak up in court?
(Because they are talking about me. Because I
have to stand up for myself. Because I have to
understand what is going on.)
C. Why is it important to not stand up and
move around when court is going on? (It
would make me look bad. I need to look good
to help my case.)
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 30
Module 5- Tolerating Stress of Proceedings
(continued)
Column A:
Knowledge-based Questions
Column B:
Understanding-based Questions
D. Make some direct comments on the
client’s emotions and behaviors, and work
with them to extinguish negative behaviors.
[For example: I notice that when we talk
about court, you giggle a lot. Why is that?
Can you do that when you are in court?
How come? Let's practice talking with your
lawyer right now. I want you to talk about
your case without giggling.]
E. Make some direct comments on their
emotions and behavior, and work with them
to promote positive behaviors. [For
example: You are doing a good job talking
about your case. Make sure that you talk
about this with your attorney - it's
important.]
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 31
II. WORKBOOK
F. Photographs
PHOTO 1: Overview of Courtroom Personnel
PHOTO 2: The Judge
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 32
II. WORKBOOK
F. Photographs (continued)
PHOTO 3: The Defense Attorney and The Client
PHOTO 4: The Prosecuting Attorneys
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An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 33
II. WORKBOOK
F. Photographs (continued)
PHOTO 5: The Jury
PHOTO 6: Examination of Another Witness by the Prosecution
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An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 34
II. WORKBOOK
F. Photographs (continued)
PHOTO 7: Examination of Another Witness by Defense Attorney
PHOTO 8: Swearing In Of the Client as a Witness
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 35
II. WORKBOOK
F. Photographs (continued)
PHOTO 9: Direct Examination of Client
PHOTO 10: Cross-Examination of Client
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 36
III. ANSWER SHEETS
Client’s Name: Trainer’s Name: Date:
Module I Answer Sheet: Purpose of Training; Review of Charges, Pleas, and Potential
Consequences
Scores
#
Responses/Comments Poor
Fair Good
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7
A.
B.
C.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
D.
E.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
Poor = Doesn’t answer questions, or says “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember,” or gets the concept wrong. Fair = Gives a limited description, mixes up answers, hard to understand replies.
Good = Gives a pretty complete, understandable and correct answer.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 37
III. ANSWER SHEETS
Client’s Name: Trainer’s Name: Date:
Module II Answer Sheet: Review of Courtroom Personnel
Scores
#
Responses/Comments Poor
Fair Good
1.
2.
3.
4.
A.
5.
6.
7.
8.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
G.
Poor = Doesn’t answer questions, or says “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember,” or gets the concept wrong.
Fair = Gives a limited description, mixes up answers, hard to understand replies. Good = Gives a pretty complete, understandable and correct answer.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 38
III. ANSWER SHEETS
Client’s Name: Trainer’s Name: Date:
Module III Answer Sheet: Review of Courtroom Proceedings, Trial, and Plea Bargain
Scores
#
Responses/Comments Poor
Fair Good
1.
A.
2a.
2b.
2c.
3.
4.
B.
5.
6.
7.
C.
8.
D.
E.
F.
Poor = Doesn’t answer questions, or says “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember,” or gets the concept wrong.
Fair = Gives a limited description, mixes up answers, hard to understand replies. Good = Gives a pretty complete, understandable and correct answer.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 39
III. ANSWER SHEETS
Client’s Name: Trainer’s Name: Date:
Module IV Answer Sheet: Review of Working with Attorney/Assisting in Defense
Scores
#
Responses/Comments Poor
Fair Good
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
A.
8.
9.
B.
10.
C.
11.
D.
12.
E.
13.
14.
F.
15.
G. (use extra pages if needed)
Poor = Doesn’t answer questions, or says “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember,” or gets the concept wrong.
Fair = Gives a limited description, mixes up answers, hard to understand replies. Good = Gives a pretty complete, understandable and correct answer.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 40
III. ANSWER SHEETS
Client’s Name: Trainer’s Name: Date:
Module V Answer Sheet: Tolerating Stress of Proceedings
Scores
#
Responses/Comments Poor
Fair Good
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
A.
B.
8.
9.
10.
11.
C.
D.
E.
Poor = Doesn’t answer questions, or says “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember,” or gets the concept wrong.
Fair = Gives a limited description, mixes up answers, hard to understand replies. Good = Gives a pretty complete, understandable and correct answer.
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 41
IV. REFERENCES
1. Appelbaum, K: Assessment of criminal justice related competencies in defendants with
mental retardation. The Journal of Psychiatry and Law, Fall 1994
2. Appelbaum, K and Appelbaum, P: Assessment of criminal justice related competencies in
defendants with mental retardation. The Journal of Psychiatry and Law, Fall 1994
3. Black’s Law Dictionary, Abridged Sixth Edition, West Publishing Co., 1991
4. Bonnie, RJ: The competence of criminal defendants with mental retardation to participate in
their own defense. The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology 1990, 81:419-446
5. Coles, EM: Assessment of understanding by people manifesting mental retardation: a
preliminary report. Perceptual and Motor Skills 1996, 83: 187-192
6. Donohue M and Walters T: Welcome to program II: the trial competency program.
Atascadero State Hospital, California.
7. Everington C: The competence assessment for standing trial for defendants with mental
retardation (CAST-MR): a validation study. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 1990, 17: 147-
168
8. Grisso T: Evaluating competencies: forensic assessments and instruments. New York,
Plenum Press, 1986
9. Longhurst TM, Berry GW: Communication in retarded adolescents: response to listener
feedback. American Journal of Mental Deficiency 80: 158-164, 175
10. Luftig RL, Johnson RE: Identification and recall of structurally important units in prose by
mentally retarded learners. American Journal of Mental Deficiency 1982, 86: 495-502
11. Kamphans, RW: Conceptual and psychometric issues in the assessment of adaptive behavior.
The Journal of Special Education 1987, 21, No. 1: 27-35
12. Mercer CD, Snell ME: Learning theory research in mental retardation: implications for
teaching. Columbus, Merrill, 1977.
13. Sigleman CK, Winer JL, Schoenrock CJ: The responsiveness of mentally retarded persons to
questions. Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded 1982, 17: 120-124
14. Sigleman CK, Budd, EC, Spanhel CL, et al.: When in doubt, say yes: acquiescence in
interviews with mentally retarded persons. Ment Retard 1981, 19: 53-58
15. Smith, SA: A quick screening test of competency to stand trial for defendants with mental
retardation. Psychological Reports 1995, 76: 91-97
Returning Your Client to Court:
An Educational Tool to Restore Competence to Stand Trial in Mentally Retarded Persons
Page 42
IV. REFERENCES (continued)
16. Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council card: Helpful hints on how to deal
with a suspect, victim, or witness who may have a disability.
17. Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-5.3.