Clinical psychologist Joseph Frey of Augusta, GA, operates a solo practice and is also a partner in Partners in Achievement. Joseph Frey often assesses defendants in and around Augusta, GA, for their competency to stand trial.

1. Evaluating Competency to Stand
Trial
By Joseph Frey, Augusta GA

2. Introduction
• Clinical psychologist Joseph Frey of Augusta, GA,
operates a solo practice and is also a partner in Partners
in Achievement. Joseph Frey often assesses defendants
in and around Augusta, GA, for their competency to
stand trial.
Several competencies must exist in order for a person to
stand trial. Defendants should have the ability to
understand each phase of criminal proceedings,
including Miranda rights, confession, sentencing,
executions, and the appeals process. Testing can help
produce a complete picture of the accused's
comprehension of these and other legal processes.

3. Competency to Stand Trial
• Determining competency presents multi-faceted
challenges, since its presence in one or more areas of
jurisprudence does not guarantee its possession in
others. In order to make a complete finding, evaluators
may take both neuropsychological investigation into
particular cognitive abilities as well as psychological
inquiry into personality traits into account .
The first method works to identify amnesia, dementia, or
other brain injuries. The second focuses on alerting the
court to irrational patterns of behavior and thinking as
well as other psychiatric conditions.