Amnesia and Competency To Stand Trial

Abstract

In case law, defendants suffering solely from amnesia who are otherwise competent to stand trial are generally found to be competent. However, temporary, treatable amnesia may warrant a finding of incompetency. The authors review current concepts of amnesia. They stress the need for the psychiatrist to understand the nature of amnesia so that he may assist the court in its adjudication of competency to stand trial.