What happens if the court orders a mental competency exam?
If the court orders mental competency examines, two doctors will be assigned by the court to meet with the juvenile and question the juvenile about the court process to determine whether the juvenile is competent.

After meeting with the client each doctor will write a report to the court regarding the juvenile’s competency. The doctor can find the juvenile is:
- Competent (understands the court process and can assist the attorney)
- Incompetent/restorable (does not understand the court process but with a little tutoring the juvenile will be able to learn the juvenile court process)
- Not competent/not restorable (does not understand the court process and will not be able to learn the information in six months)

Show All Answers

1. Why would an attorney request a mental competency hearing?
2. Why does it matter whether I am competent or not?
3. What happens if the court orders a mental competency exam?
4. How do I know when to meet with the doctors?
5. What happens after I see the doctors?
6. What is restoration?
7. If the juvenile is found competent, then what?