R. B Case Study
In Matter of R.D.B., 1996 Tex. App. LEXIS 2932 (Tex. App.-Beaumont, 1996), R.D.B. was a sixteen-year- old who committed robbery and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, both of which are felony charges. At the time of R.D.B.’s arrest, he was on probation for an earlier felony.
Prior to the certification hearing, the juvenile judge ordered R.D.B. to have a complete psychiatric and psychologist evaluation to determine if he was sophisticated and mature enough to stand trial as an adult. The psychiatrist concluded that R.D.B. was mature and sophisticated enough to understand the legal proceedings and able to assist his attorney with his defense. Also, the psychiatrist determined that R.D.B. had no mental illness or other defects which would
restrict him from being tried as an adult. Id.
On the other hand, the psychologist did conclude that R.D.B. was mentally retarded and did not meet the psychologist criteria for certification; he did not recommend that R.D.B. be tried as an adult. The juvenile court ignored the psychologist’s recommendation and proceeded with certifying R.D.B. to be tried as an adult. Id.
R.D.B. appealed the court’s decision on the bases that there was not enough evidence during R.D.B.’s certification hearing concerning his lack of mental capacity. The court of appeals affirmed that the trial court had the discretion to grant the State’s motion to transfer the juvenile cause to criminal court because the juvenile did meet the test of understanding his proceedings and assisting his attorney in his defense.
Prior to the certification hearing, the juvenile judge ordered R.D.B. to have a complete psychiatric and psychologist evaluation to determine if he was sophisticated and mature enough to stand trial as an adult. The psychiatrist concluded that R.D.B. was mature and sophisticated enough to understand the legal proceedings and able to assist his attorney with his defense. Also, the psychiatrist determined that R.D.B. had no mental illness or other defects which would
restrict him from being tried as an adult. Id.
On the other hand, the psychologist did conclude that R.D.B. was mentally retarded and did not meet the psychologist criteria for certification; he did not recommend that R.D.B. be tried as an adult. The juvenile court ignored the psychologist’s recommendation and proceeded with certifying R.D.B. to be tried as an adult. Id.
R.D.B. appealed the court’s decision on the bases that there was not enough evidence during R.D.B.’s certification hearing concerning his lack of mental capacity. The court of appeals affirmed that the trial court had the discretion to grant the State’s motion to transfer the juvenile cause to criminal court because the juvenile did meet the test of understanding his proceedings and assisting his attorney in his defense.