Defense Attorneys' Perceptions of Competency to Stand Trial Evaluations in Oklahoma: A Second Look

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine Oklahoma defense attorneys' perceptions of competency to stand trial evaluations. Participants in this study were 47 attorneys who are contracted with the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System ("OIDS"). Each participant completed a survey which was delivered to them via electronic mail by OIDS personnel, independent of this study. Descriptive statistics (including percentages, means and standard deviations) as well as paired t-tests, were used to test the hypotheses. Unlike the original study done by LaFortune and Nicholson (1995), there was no strong preference for setting (local vs. Oklahoma Forensic Center) to perform competency to stand trial evaluations. Attorneys' opinions were that the quality of the evaluations has remained the same for the past three years in both the local and OFC settings. Attorneys continue to perceive report characteristics as lacking vital information necessary to adequately defend their clients.