Just and Well: Rethinking How States Approach Competency to Stand Trial

Full Report Executive Summary

Just and Well: Rethinking How States Approach Competency to Stand Trial

The competency to stand trial process is designed to protect the rights of people who do not understand the charges against them and are unable to assist in their own defense. But across the country, this process has become increasingly overburdened and delayed, causing people to languish in jail while states contend with the high associated costs. Seeking solutions to these serious challenges, the organizational co-authors of this report gathered a group of national advisors to find a way forward. This report outlines the 10 most effective strategies state officials can pursue to improve the competency to stand trial process. Its recommendations represent a consensus view of what competency to stand trial should ideally look like. Photo credit: Image by Rawpixel from Envato.

Hallie Fader-Towe and Ethan Kelly | October 2020 | The Council of State Government Justice Center, American Psychiatric Association Foundation, Judges and Psychiatrists Leadership Initiative

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Hallie Fader-Towe

Strategy Director, Justice & Health Initiatives

Hallie Fader-Towe directs strategy for projects focusing on improving safety by better aligning justice and health systems. Since joining the organization in 2009 as a policy analyst, Hallie has worked with leaders in almost every state in the country on

...

policy and practice at the intersection of justice, behavioral health, and housing. She has led and overseen projects related to state policy on crisis response, pretrial release, competency to stand trial, familiar faces, diversion, problem-solving courts, and connections to housing upon reentry and has worked with counties of all shapes and sizes on analyzing local data to design and implement new policies and programs. Hallie received a BA from Brown University and a JD from Harvard Law School.