The following are documents that may be helpful to individuals in the community to learn about Forensic Mental Evaluations, the laws that govern the procedures, and who is certified to perform an evaluation.
Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 12 outlines the requirements of Forensic Services in Mississippi. It requires we publish a list of certified evaluators, the documents required to perform an evaluation, and explains that counties will pay for mental evaluations.
Mississippi's Forensic Mental Health Act of 2019 ensures constitutional protections for individuals with mental health concerns involved with the criminal justice system.
The psychologists and psychiatrists certified to complete evaluations in Mississippi are listed at the above link.
Download Patient Information Form (PIF) (DOCX)
The Patient Information Form (PIF) is a required document for completing an evaluation. It collects information about behaviors or concerns that have raised questions about a person’s competence to stand trial or mental state at the time of the offense.
Download Attorney Attestation Form (PDF)
The Attorney Attestation Form confirms that the defense attorney has provided all relevant client documents to Forensic Services. In lieu of this form, an email stating that all available records have been submitted is also acceptable.
Download Order for Initial Competency Evaluation (DOCX) (except for Capital Murder)
This order should be used when a defendant has not yet been evaluated for competency on the current charges. A sanity evaluation (McNaghten Order) may also be included if appropriate.
Download Supplemental Sanity Evaluation (DOCX) (except for Capital Murder)
This order should be used when a defendant has previously been ordered to undergo a competency evaluation and/or treatment, and the court requests an additional sanity evaluation under the McNaghten standard.
Download Order for Defendants Charge with Capital Murder (DOCX)
This order is required for evaluations involving defendants charged with capital murder.
Download Order for Competency Restoration Admission (DOCX)
This order should be used when a defendant has been evaluated by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, a competency report has been submitted to the court, and the court has determined that the defendant is not competent to proceed and requires inpatient competency restoration treatment. A sanity evaluation (McNaghten Order) may also be included if appropriate.
Download Competence Restoration Treatment and Sanity Evaluation Admission Order (DOCX)
This order is required when the court has determined that a defendant is not competent to stand trial and requires commitment for competency restoration treatment and a sanity evaluation.
Download Order for Unrestorable Inpatient Commitment (DOCX)
This order should be used when a defendant has been evaluated for competency by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist and determined to be both not competent to stand trial and not restorable to competency within the foreseeable future. These defendants have often previously received treatment at the MS State Hospital Forensic Services Unit.
Download Outpatient Commitment Order for Unrestorable Defendants (DOCX)
This order may be used by Circuit Courts for defendants who, after receiving inpatient competence restoration treatment at Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) Forensic Services, are found to be not competent to stand trial, not restorable to competency within the foreseeable future, and appropriate for treatment in a less restrictive setting.
Download Commitment Order for NGRI Acquittee (DOCX)
This order of commitment may be used by Circuit Courts for defendants who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity.