THIS STUDY FOUND THAT NEARLY HALF OF NORTH CAROLINA JUDGES BELIEVED THAT COMMITMENT TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL SHOULD BE AUTOMATIC IF A DEFENDANT WAS ADJUDGED INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL. THE JUDGES WERE ABOUT EQUALLY DIVIDED IN THEIR RESPONSES WHEN ASKED TO SPECIFY THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMITMENT CRITERION. MORE THAN HALF STATED THAT DANGEROUSNESS WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT CRITERION. THE STUDY RECOMMENDED THAT THE COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT BE MORE CLEARLY SET FORTH. ONE WAY TO DO THIS WOULD BE TO PROVIDE A SCREENING PROCESS AT THE COUNTY LEVEL WHEREBY ALL DEFENDANTS WHOSE COMPETENCY IS QUESTIONED WOULD BE EVALUATED BY A SCREENING PANEL COMPOSED OF MENTAL HEALTH AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS. THE STUDY ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT CHARGES BE DISMISSED IF, AFTER A CIVIL COMMITMENT HEARING, A DEFENDANT REMAINS INCOMPETENT FOR 15 MONTHS, OR FOR ONE-HALF THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE, WHICHEVER IS LESS....BDS