August 2020

An area of law that is often confused is the concept of competency to stand trial versus insanity.  While these two concepts are often related, they have much different meanings in the context of a criminal case. Competency to Stand Trial Competency to stand trial is a very minimal standard.  A defendant is not competent to stand trial when he is unable to understand the proceedings and assist in the preparation of his defense.  If…

I would like to share my story not because it is so unique, but because, I believe, it is all too common.  To set the stage, I am the next of kin for my nephew who is now serving time for a Level 4 felony of child molestation.  I will reference the 5 stages of grieving developed by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Q: As a loved one of someone charged with…