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.
Defense Attorney Information Form
The Defense Attorney Information form is a required document for an evaluation to be completed. The form requires information about the behaviors or issues that have arisen that cause concern regarding competence to stand trial or mental state at the time of the offense.
The Attorney Attestation form is a certification from the defense attorney that all relevant documents have been provided to Forensic Services related to a client.
Competency Evaluation Order Template (except for Capital Murder)
This form order is required for competency evaluations.
Insanity Evaluation Order Template (except for Capital Murder)
This supplemental order is required if a court determines a sanity evaluation is warranted.
Order Template for Defendants Charged with Capital Murder
This form order is required for evaluations of defendants facing Capital Murder charges.
This order of commitment for treatment and continuing mental evaluation is required when a court deems the defendant incompetent to stand trial and requires commitment for competency restoration.
This order of commitment can be used by Circuit Courts to civilly commit defendants who are deemed not competent to stand trial and not restorable within the foreseeable future.