PSYCH230 Chapter 8-9: PSYCH 230 Summaries of Chapters 8-9, 11-12
Document Summary
Chapter 8 mental illness in court. Fitness to stand trial. Before bill c- 30, someone who was declared unfit to stand trial was confined indefinitely. Cannot be detained more than 30 days, most evaluation was approximately 3 weeks and occurred in inpatient facilities. Mental health law is under provincial jurisdiction. Issues of fitness is raised when a plea is entered, when defendant chooses not be represented by counsel, during sentencing. The burden of proving is on whoever raised it. 2- 8% referred for fitness evaluations. Fitness instruments: study found that quick screening instrument could be used to reduce cost. Fitness interview test revised (fit- r): semi- structured interview and assess 3 psychological abilities stated in the code"s fitness standard. Each section contains several items. Understand the nature of proceeding defendant"s understanding of arrest process, nature and severity of current charges. Each response rated on a 3- point scale ranging from 0 (little impairment) to 2 (severe impairment).