Supreme Court sets the competency-to-stand-trial standard in Dusky v. United States

The Supreme Court issued a per curiam opinion in Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, reversing a federal conviction and establishing the constitutional standard for competency to stand trial. The Court held that a defendant must have sufficient present ability to consult with counsel with a reasonable degree of rational understanding, and must have a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings. The ruling rejected the lower courts' reliance on the defendant's basic orientation to time, place, and person as an adequate competency measure.