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Article
Juveniles Evaluated Incompetence to Proceed: Characteristics and Quality of Mental Health Professionals’ Evaluations
Professional Psychology: Research and Practice
  • Annette Christy, University of South Florida
  • Kevin S. Douglas, University of South Florida
  • Randy K. Otto, University of South Florida
  • John Petrila, University of South Florida
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2004
Keywords
  • mental health professionals; juvenile legal evaluation; legal competency; juvenile competency evaluation; evaluation techniques; commitment criteria; youth client descriptions; legal issues
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.35.4.380
Abstract

The authors studied quality of evaluations of juveniles whose competence to proceed was at issue before the court and characteristics of mental health professionals completing these reports. Many evaluators failed to address important legal issues and offered incomplete descriptions of the youths, their capacities, and the evaluation techniques used. Evaluators commented on legal competency factors in most reports, as required by law, but often failed to identify the cause of the noted incapacity or whether children met commitment criteria (also required by law). Although core competence-related abilities identified in Florida law were addressed in the majority of evaluations, assessments were less than optimal in other psycholegal and clinical domains. Seven recommendations are offered for conducting juvenile competency evaluations that are professionally sound and meet legal requirements.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, v. 35, issue 4, p. 380-388

Citation Information
Annette Christy, Kevin S. Douglas, Randy K. Otto and John Petrila. "Juveniles Evaluated Incompetence to Proceed: Characteristics and Quality of Mental Health Professionals’ Evaluations" Professional Psychology: Research and Practice Vol. 35 Iss. 4 (2004) p. 380 - 388
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/annette_christy/7/