NCJ Number
154052
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1995) Pages: 44-59
Date Published
1995
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study replicated preliminary work conducted in 1990 on the validity of the Competence Assessment for Standing Trial for Defendants with Mental Retardation (CAST-MR) using two samples of retarded defendants, one of which had been recommended by forensic evaluators to stand trial and one of which had been recommended as incompetent.
Abstract
The results showed that the CAST-MR has strong internal consistently and interrater reliability. The group referred as competent had significantly higher total scores, higher scores on each subsection, and higher scores on seven individual test items. Discriminant function analyses also supported the validity of the instrument. When taken into account along with other factors such as complexity of the legal proceeding, defense strategy, client- attorney relationship, and defendant's emotional and cognitive status, the CAST-MR can increase the accuracy of the competency evaluation and contribute positively to the lives of persons with mental retardation. 3 tables, 1 note, and 36 references