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Board members flag coordination problems around competency evaluations and new charges
Summary
Board members discussed that multiple court-ordered competency evaluations in short timeframes complicate reuse of previous evaluations; the Public Defender's office said new charges are often filed while competency is pending and a judge suggested the Prosecutor's Office should coordinate cases across jurisdictions.
Heather Dean of the Mental Health and Recovery Board told members that multiple court-ordered competency evaluations occurring within short periods create complications: Heartland staff indicated prior evaluations cannot be used for current charges unless the history of charges is known. Jessica Kenepp of the Public Defender's Office said it is common for new criminal charges to be filed while competency is pending, complicating the usefulness of evaluations.
Judge Corey Spitler said that when all charges are within Wayne County the process can work, but he suggested the Prosecutor's Office should coordinate across charges and competency orders because that office is aware of multiple charges and pending competency matters.
Board members emphasized the importance of early communication among courts, defense, prosecutors and evaluation providers to improve the utility of competency evaluations and limit duplicative assessments.
