Psychology Discussion/Assignment

EVALUATING THE DEFENDANT’S COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL

Determining a defendant’s competency to stand trial is one of the most important tasks of a forensic psychologist. After assessing and determining the defendant’s competency, the forensic psychologist is often called to testify during the trial as to the methods and tests used to make the determination. The determination, as well as methods and tests, are then scrutinized and may be called into question by the opposing counsel. Comprehensive understanding of the standards and challenges to the standards are necessary when determining competency.

For this Assignment (Section 1 of your Project Comprehensive Report), you review a case, including the defendant’s background and information gathered from an evaluation interview with the defendant. You then apply the standards of adjudicative competency to make a determination. Consider how to address potential challenges to your determination.

Please note that this assignment is Section 1 of your Project Comprehensive Report.

Document: Project Comprehensive Report (Word document)

To prepare for this Assignment:

Review the Assignment Directions below (or Project Comprehensive Report Section 1 in the Project Instructions) and the Application Assignment rubric located in the Course Information area. Review the case assigned by your instructor. Consider how the standards of competency apply to the defendant in your assigned case. Review this week’s Learning Resources.

Document: Case Studies (Word document)

Submit a 2–4-page paper (Comprehensive Report Section 1) that answers the following questions:

RESOURCES

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

TO PREPARE

BY DAY 7

PSYC_4920_Week_1_Assignment_Rubric

What is the defendant being charged with (e.g. Felony Theft)? Does this defendant appear to meet the standards for adjudicative competency? Why or why not? What did you need to know in order to make this determination? What are some of the challenges in determining adjudicative competency?

Support your Application Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list for all resources, including those in the Learning Resources for this course.

This Assignment is due by Day 7 of Week 1.

You will incorporate any feedback into the final submission of your Comprehensive Report.

Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.

1. To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as WK1Assgn_LastName_Firstinitial

2. Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page. 3. Next, click on Upload File and select Submit Assignment for review.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Criteria Ratings Pts

What is the defendant being charged with?... (10 points)

10 pts

Does this defendant appear to meet the standards for adjudicative competency? Why or why not?... (25 points)

25 pts

10 pts A Response is complete and accurate; contains sufficient details and/or explanation; includes supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

8.5 pts B Response is complete and mostly accurate; contains some details and/or explanation; includes supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

7.5 pts C Response is somewhat complete and/or is somewhat inaccurate; and/or does not contain sufficient details and/or explanation; includes some supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

6 pts D Response is incomplete or is mostly inaccurate; lacks sufficient details and/or explanation; does not include supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

0 pts F Response is incomplete; answers are inaccurate and/or not explained; no supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

25 pts A Response is complete and accurate; contains sufficient details and/or explanation; includes supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

21 pts B Response is complete and mostly accurate; contains some details and/or explanation; includes supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

17.5 pts C Response is somewhat complete and/or is somewhat inaccurate; and/or does not contain sufficient details and/or explanation; includes some supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

15 pts D Response is incomplete or is mostly inaccurate; lacks sufficient details and/or explanation; does not include supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

0 pts F Response is incomplete; answers are inaccurate and/or not explained; no supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

Criteria Ratings Pts

What did you need to know in order to make this determination? ...(25 points)

25 pts

What are some of the challenges in determining adjudicative competency?... (20 points)

20 pts

25 pts A Response is complete and accurate; contains sufficient details and/or explanation; includes supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

21 pts B Response is complete and mostly accurate; contains some details and/or explanation; includes supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

17.5 pts C Response is somewhat complete and/or is somewhat inaccurate; and/or does not contain sufficient details and/or explanation; includes some supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

15 pts D Response is incomplete or is mostly inaccurate; lacks sufficient details and/or explanation; does not include supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

0 pts F Response is incomplete; answers are inaccurate and/or not explained; no supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

20 pts A Response is complete and accurate; contains sufficient details and/or explanation; includes supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

17 pts B Response is complete and mostly accurate; contains some details and/or explanation; includes supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

15 pts C Response is somewhat complete and/or is somewhat inaccurate; and/or does not contain sufficient details and/or explanation; includes some supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

13 pts D Response is incomplete or is mostly inaccurate; lacks sufficient details and/or explanation; does not include supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

0 pts F Response is incomplete; answers are inaccurate and/or not explained; no supporting information from the Learning Resources when necessary.

Criteria Ratings Pts

Quality of Writing...(15 points)

15 pts

Information documentation... (5 points)

5 pts

Total Points: 100

15 pts A Writing is clear and organized with few or no errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling (MUGS). There is a preponderance of original writing (i.e., use of own words and proper paraphrasing).

12 pts B Writing is mostly clear and organized with few MUGS errors. Writing is original (i.e., use of own words and proper paraphrasing).

10.5 pts C Writing is somewhat clear and organized with some MUGS errors. Most writing is original (i.e., use of own words and proper paraphrasing).

9 pts D Writing is somewhat unclear and disorganized and/or contains many MUGS errors. There is an overuse of direct quotations and/or ineffective paraphrasing.

0 pts F Writing is unclear and/or disorganized and/or contains many MUGS errors. There is an underuse of original writing and an overuse of directly quoted content.

5 pts A Information from the Learning Resources is properly documented with citation(s) and reference(s) in correct APA style.

3.5 pts B Information from the Learning Resources is partially documented with citation(s) and/or reference(s), and / or does not follow correct APA style.

0 pts C

0 pts D Information from the Learning Resources is not cited or referenced in any way.

0 pts F