Articles
Mentally Ill Criminals Can't Act as Own Lawyers
According to recent reports, criminal defendants who are mentally ill can now be denied the eligibility to represent themselves in a criminal trial.
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on this ruling earlier this week.
Question of Competence
In accordance with this new ruling, states can insist that defendants who stand trial must have a lawyer present if their mental illness proves they can’t represent themselves.
In an opinion written by Justice Stephen Breyer, states can deny defendants the right to represent themselves.
Ruling Based on State Decision
The 7-2 ruling was reportedly a victory for Indiana and the Bush administration, which claimed the government’s interest in criminal proceedings, can outdo a defendants request to serve as his or her own lawyer.
A judge is enabled to decide whether a defendant is suitable to serve as his or her own lawyer depending on the circumstance.
“The court has cleared the way for states to adopt guidelines preventing marginally competent defendants from representing themselves at trial,” explains the legal director for the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, Kent Scheidegger.
(Source: Reuters)
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