What is the Difference Between Competency and Sanity?
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…