4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on AAFP: Case Law Series: Competence to Stand Trial is presented by Bob Stinson, PhD, JD, ABPP in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

This program reviews case law in the area of competence to stand trial and discusses its implications for completing competency to stand trial evaluations. All of the competence to stand trial landmark cases from the American Board of Forensic Psychology's (ABFP's) Suggested Reading List for Written and Oral Examinations are reviewed. Additionally, relevant case law not included on the suggested reading list is reviewed. 

Thus, this program proves helpful to those developing expertise in the area of competence to stand trial, those considering board certification, and those with advanced knowledge in competency to stand trial evaluations who want a refresher on landmark cases and an update on recent rulings.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the relationship between ethical forensic practice and knowledge of relevant case law.
  • 2 Describe at least 10 of the United States Supreme Court landmark cases in the area of competence to stand trial and state the holdings in each case.
  • 3 Describe at least 3 lower federal court landmark cases in the area of competence to stand trial and state the holdings in each case.
  • 4 Describe how to use the learned case law in the practice of completing competency to stand trial evaluations.
Presented By

Bob Stinson, PsyD, JD, ABPP

Bob Stinson, Psy.D., J.D., LICDC-CS, ABPP, is a board-certified forensic psychologist, an attorney at law, and a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor – clinical supervisor. Dr. Stinson is listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) and a Diplomate in forensic psychology with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). He serves on the faculty of the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP). Dr. Stinson is a Past-President of the Central Ohio Psychological Association, the Ohio Psychological Association (OPA), and AAFP. He is a long-time member and past-Chair of the OPA Ethics Committee. Dr. Stinson has been an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology at Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology, an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology at The Ohio State University Department of Psychology, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and an Adjunct Professor of Law at The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. 


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  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for psychologists and forensic mental health professionals who conduct, or plan to conduct, competency to stand trial evaluations. It is designed for those who provide assessments and expert testimony for criminal court proceedings, covering foundational to advanced concepts relevant to competency evaluations.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Psychologists specializing in forensic assessment
    • Forensic mental health professionals
    • Psychiatrists involved in legal proceedings
    • Social workers participating in competency evaluations
    • Professionals conducting or planning to conduct competency to stand trial evaluations
    • Experts providing assessments and testimony in criminal court settings

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for mental health professionals at various stages of experience with forensic evaluations and case law related to competence to stand trial.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to forensic mental health or have limited experience with competency to stand trial evaluations and related case law.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience conducting competency to stand trial evaluations and are familiar with basic legal standards, seeking to deepen their understanding of landmark cases and ethical considerations.

    • Advanced: Participants have substantial experience with forensic evaluations and case law, possibly preparing for board certification or seeking an in-depth review and update on recent legal developments.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals conduct court-ordered competency to stand trial evaluations within the criminal legal system, working in secured clinical and legal environments governed by strict procedural, ethical, and evidentiary standards. Their work includes assessment, report writing, and expert testimony informed by landmark case law and recent rulings, aligning with ABFP expectations and competency restoration practices.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Criminal courts and court-affiliated clinics
    • Forensic psychiatric hospitals and competency restoration programs
    • Jails, prisons, and detention facilities
    • Community mental health centers with forensic programs
    • Private practice/consulting for court-ordered evaluations
    • University-affiliated forensic clinics
    • State forensic evaluation units
    • Telehealth evaluations for remote detention sites
We are proud to partner with

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

We are proud to partner with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) for this training. AAFP is a non-profit organization of board-certified forensic psychologists whose mission is to contribute to the development and maintenance of forensic psychology as a specialized field of study, research, and practice. The Academy does this by providing high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards upon outstanding students and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statement

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.