A 28-year-old man with untreated schizophrenia is on trial for theft. He believes the judge is an alien and refuses to speak to his lawyer. He cannot understand the court proceedings. This assessment primarily evaluates his:
- A Criminal responsibility
- B Fitness to stand trial ✓
- C Capacity to consent to treatment
- D Dangerousness to others
Correct answer: B. Fitness to stand trial
Explanation
Fitness to stand trial assesses a defendant's current mental state to understand court proceedings and assist in their defense. Criminal responsibility evaluates their mental state at the time of the offense. This patient's current inability to understand the court makes him unfit to stand trial.
Reference: A Short Textbook of Psychiatry, 13th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.