cooper oklahoma argued january decided april page oklahoma law presumes criminal defendant competent stand trial unless proves incompetence clear convincing evidence applying standard judge found petitioner cooper competent separate occasions trial first degree murder despite bizarre behavior conflicting expert testimony issue affirming conviction death sentence criminal appeals rejected argument state presumption competence combined clear convincing evidence standard placed onerous burden violate due process held oklahoma procedural rule allows state try defendant likely incompetent violates due process pp criminal trial incompetent defendant violates due process medina california establishes state may presume defendant competent require prove incompetence preponderance evidence presumption offend principle justice rooted traditions conscience people ranked fundamental affects outcome narrow class cases evidence defendant competent strong evidence incompetent case however presents quite different question whether state may proceed criminal trial defendant shown likely incompetent pp oklahoma rule roots historical practice early english american cases suggest common law standard page ii proof preponderance evidence standard currently used federal courts indicates vast majority jurisdictions remain persuaded oklahoma heightened standard necessary vindicate state interest prompt orderly disposition criminal cases application standard protective defendant rights oklahoma rule supports conclusion heightened standard offends deeply rooted principle justice pp oklahoma rule exhibit fundamental fairness operation erroneous determination competence dire consequences defendant already demonstrated likely incompetent threatening basic fairness trial defendant inability communicate effectively counsel may leave unable exercise rights deemed essential fair trial choosing plead guilty waiving privilege compulsory taking witness stand waiving rights jury trial witnesses make myriad smaller decisions concerning course defense risks outweigh state interest efficient operation criminal justice system difficulty ascertaining whether defendant incompetent malingering may make appropriate place burden proof justify additional onus especially high standard proof pp although normally within state power establish procedures laws given effect power regulate procedural burdens subject proscription due process clause procedures sufficiently protect fundamental constitutional right patterson new york distinguished decision herein complete accord ruling addington texas due process requires clear convincing evidence standard proof involuntary civil commitment proceedings ruling protects individual fundamental liberty interest ruling case safeguards fundamental right stand trial incompetent pp stevens delivered opinion unanimous cooper oklahoma justice stevens delivered opinion oklahoma defendant criminal prosecution presumed competent stand trial unless proves incompetence clear convincing evidence okla tit standard defendant may put trial even though likely incompetent question address case whether application standard petitioner violated right due process fourteenth amendment petitioner charged brutal killing man course burglary oklahoma jury found guilty murder recommended punishment death trial imposed death penalty oklahoma criminal appeals affirmed conviction sentence petitioner competence focus significant attention trial five separate occasions judge considered whether petitioner ability understand charges assist defense counsel first occasion pretrial judge relied opinion clinical psychologist employed state cooper oklahoma find petitioner incompetent based determination committed petitioner state mental health facility treatment upon petitioner release hospital three months later trial judge heard testimony concerning petitioner competence two psychologists experts expressed conflicting opinions regarding petitioner ability participate defense judge resolved dispute petitioner ordering proceed trial close pretrial hearing held one week trial scheduled begin lead defense attorney raised issue petitioner competence third time counsel advised petitioner behaving oddly refusing communicate defense counsel opined serious matter faking app listening counsel concerns however judge declined revisit earlier determination petitioner competent stand trial petitioner competence addressed fourth time first day trial petitioner bizarre behavior prompted conduct competency hearing judge observed petitioner heard testimony several lay witnesses third psychologist petitioner cooper oklahoma expert concluded petitioner presently incompetent unable communicate effectively counsel probably achieve competence within six weeks treated aggressively stating dispute psychologist diagnosis trial judge ruled petitioner holding however voiced uncertainty well think used expression past normal like us anybody like us normal think normal proper definition use incompetence shirtsleeve opinion cooper normal say competent something else know things considered suppose possible client predicament cooper oklahoma ca help defense still incompetent suppose possibility think going take smarter people make decision going say believe carried burden clear convincing evidence incompetency going say going go trial criminal appeals petitioner contended oklahoma presumption competence combined statutory requirement criminal defendant establish incompetence clear convincing evidence okla tit placed onerous burden violate right due process law appellate rejected argument cooper oklahoma noting difficult determine whether defendant malingering given inexactness uncertainty attached competency proceedings held standard justified state great interest assuring citizens thorough speedy judicial process truly incompetent criminal defendant attorneys experts prove incompetency relative ease granted certiorari review criminal appeals conclusion application clear convincing evidence standard violate due process ii one questions existence fundamental right petitioner invokes repeatedly consistently recognized criminal trial incompetent defendant violates due process medina california drope missouri pate robinson significance right open dispute justice kennedy recently emphasized competence stand trial rudimentary upon depends main part rights deemed essential fair trial including right effective assistance counsel rights summon confront witnesses right testify one behalf remain silent without penalty drope missouri riggins nevada opinion concurring judgment cooper oklahoma recent decision medina california establishes state may presume defendant competent require shoulder burden proving incompetence preponderance evidence reaching conclusion held relevant inquiry whether presumption offends principle justice rooted traditions conscience people ranked fundamental quoting patterson new york contrasted deep roots heritage underlying prohibition trying incompetent absence settled tradition concerning allocation burden proof competency proceeding conclusion presumption competence offends recognized principle fundamental fairness rested part fact procedural rule affects outcome narrow class cases evidence equipoise evidence defendant competent strong evidence cooper oklahoma incompetent question address today quite different question posed medina petitioner claim requires us consider whether state may proceed criminal trial defendant demonstrated likely incompetent oklahoma contend may require defendant prove incompetence beyond reasonable doubt state maintains however clear convincing standard provides reasonable accommodation opposing interests state defendant persuaded traditional modern practice importance constitutional interest stake state argument must rejected iii historical practice probative whether procedural rule characterized fundamental medina case unlike medina indication rule oklahoma seeks defend roots prior practice indeed appears rule significantly favorable defendant long consistent application cooper oklahoma beginning late century cases appear provide inkling proper standard king frith tr example instructed jury diligently inquire whether john frith prisoner bar sound mind understanding years later jurors received nearly identical admonition queen goode ad eng shall diligently inquire true presentment make whether john goode insane eng similarly king pritchard car eng empaneled jury consider whether cooper oklahoma prisoner mute malice secondly whether plead indictment thirdly whether sufficient intellect comprehend course proceedings trial ibid see also king dyson car eng queen southey eng queen berry ibid authorities still speaking less clearly might wish instructive phrasing inquiry simple disjunctive frith goode pritchard suggest traditional practice required jury determine whether defendant likely incompetent nothing jury instructions cases bear interpretation clear convincing standard cases contain indication use preponderance standard represented departure earlier practice cooper oklahoma modern english authority confirms interpretation early cases applying preponderance standard relying principles laid number cases including pritchard king dyson car eng queen podola crim app ruled contention accused insane put forward defence contested prosecution judgment burden upon defence satisfying jury accused insanity case criminal cases onus proof rests upon defence onus discharged jury satisfied balance probabilities accused insanity made cooper oklahoma cooper oklahoma contemporary practice demonstrates vast majority jurisdictions remain persuaded heightened standard proof imposed accused oklahoma necessary vindicate state interest prompt orderly disposition criminal cases presently require criminal defendant prove incompetence clear convincing evidence none remaining jurisdictions imposes heavy burden defendant indeed number place burden cooper oklahoma defendant rather require prosecutor prove defendant competence stand cooper oklahoma trial question competency credibly raised situation different federal congress directed accused federal prosecution must prove incompetence preponderance evidence application standard protective defendant rights oklahoma clear convincing evidence rule supports conclusion heightened standard offends principle justice deeply rooted traditions conscience people medina california internal quotation marks omitted turn next consideration whether rule exhibits fundamental fairness operation quoting dowling iv contemporary historical procedures fully consistent evaluation risks inherent oklahoma practice requiring defendant prove incompetence clear convincing evidence addington texas explained function standard proof concept embodied due process clause realm factfinding instruct factfinder concerning degree confidence society thinks correctness factual conclusions particular type adjudication winship harlan concurring cooper oklahoma far jealously guard ing jacob new york city incompetent criminal defendant fundamental right stand trial oklahoma practice requiring defendant prove incompetence clear convincing evidence imposes significant risk erroneous determination cooper oklahoma defendant competent medina found comparable risk presumption affect narrow class cases evidence either side equally balanced state provides defendant access procedures making competency evaluation stated basis holding due process requires state assume burden vindicating defendant constitutional right persuading trier fact defendant competent stand trial medina california unlike presumption issue medina however oklahoma clear convincing evidence standard affects class cases defendant already demonstrated likely incompetent defendant consequences erroneous determination competence dire lacks ability communicate effectively counsel may unable exercise rights deemed essential fair trial riggins nevada kennedy concurring judgment making profound choice whether plead guilty godinez moran defendant proceeds trial ordinarily decide whether waive privilege compulsory boykin alabama taking witness stand option available may decide whether waive right trial jury ibid consultation counsel may decide whether waive right confront accusers declining witnesses prosecution ibid cooper oklahoma comparison defendant interest injury state opposite error conclusion defendant incompetent fact malingering modest sure error imposes expense state treasury frustrates state interest prompt disposition criminal charges error subject correction subsequent proceeding state may detain incompetent defendant reasonable period time necessary determine whether substantial probability attain competence foreseeable future jackson indiana oklahoma criminal appeals correctly observed inexactness uncertainty characterize competency proceedings may make difficult determine whether defendant incompetent malingering presume however unusual even artful malingerer feign incompetence successfully period time professional care regard worth reiterating four jurisdictions currently consider necessary impose criminal cooper oklahoma defendant burden proving incompetence clear convincing evidence moreover reason believe art dissimilation new eighteenth nineteenth century courts example warned jurors charged making competency determinations may great fraud matter king dyson car eng quoting hale pleas crown reproach justice guilty man postponed trial upon feigned condition mind inability aid defense chisolm although recognized risk early authorities resort heightened burden proof competency proceedings see part iii supra fundamentally difficulty ascertaining truth lies may make appropriate place burden proof proponent issue justify additional onus especially high standard proof chisolm continued likewise reproach justice institutions human compelled go trial time sufficiently possession mental faculties enable make rational proper defense latter grievous error former since one case individual go unwhipped justice great safeguards law adopts punishment crime upholding justice rudely invaded tribunal whose sacred duty uphold law integrity cooper oklahoma oklahoma makes two additional arguments support procedural rule warrant discussion first oklahoma correctly reminds us normally within power state establish procedures laws given effect including related burden producing evidence burden persuasion see patterson new york patterson upheld new york requirement prosecution murder defendant must bear burden proving affirmative defense extreme emotional disturbance order reduce crime manslaughter observing rule consistent practice held due process clause put new york choice abandoning statutory defenses undertaking disprove existence order convict crime cooper oklahoma otherwise within constitutional powers sanction substantial punishment although found violation patterson noted state power regulate procedural burdens subject proscription due process clause offends principle justice rooted traditions conscience people ranked fundamental internal quotation marks omitted case involves rule unlike patterson concerned procedures proving statutory defense consider whether state procedures guaranteeing fundamental constitutional right sufficiently protective right deep roots fundamental character defendant right stand trial likely lacks capacity understand nature proceedings communicate effectively counsel mandate constitutional protection finally oklahoma suggests decision addington texas held due process requires clear convincing standard proof involuntary civil commitment proceeding supports imposition rule competency proceedings argument unpersuasive commitment competency proceedings address entirely different substantive issues although opportunity consider outer limits state authority civilly commit unwilling individual donaldson decision donaldson makes clear due process requires minimum showing person mentally ill either poses danger others incapable surviving safely freedom test competence stand trial contrast whether defendant present ability understand cooper oklahoma charges communicate effectively defense counsel dusky even uphold oklahoma imposition clear convincing evidence rule competency proceedings comparable standards two proceedings guarantee parallel results importantly decision today complete accord basis ruling addington cases concern proper protection fundamental rights circumstances state proposes take drastic action individual requirement grounds civil commitment shown clear convincing evidence protects individual fundamental interest liberty prohibition requiring criminal defendant demonstrate incompetence clear convincing evidence safeguards fundamental right stand trial incompetent oklahoma procedural rule allows state put trial defendant likely incompetent rule incompatible dictates due process vi foregoing reasons judgment reversed case remanded oklahoma criminal appeals proceedings inconsistent cooper oklahoma opinion ordered footnotes argument close proceeding defense counsel reminded incident occurred petitioner testimony every time get close space seated cooper oklahoma little witness enclave stand get away far back give little space approached every side except approached front yesterday approach front last thing regret stood got far back rail behind witness chair get edged closer got far back got rail got rail thinking hey lose let see go back knows space feet behind rail marble wall without looking safety looking behind moved least bit move far towards fell get away fell hit head thud marble jackknifed backward railing marble heard back courtroom got back witness enclave busted head tears streaming eyes respond normal fashion app petitioner communicate sit near defense counsel trial much proceedings remained prison overalls crouching fetal position talking section provides relevant part hearing application determination competency shall determine clear convincing evidence person incompetent person shall presumed competent purposes allocation burden proof burden going forward evidence section amended pretrial period petitioner prosecution amendment alter text subsection indeed right stand trial incompetent cooper oklahoma sufficiently important merit protection even defendant failed make timely request competency determination see pate robinson oklahoma statute defines competence present ability person arrested charged crime understand nature charges proceedings brought effectively rationally assist defense okla tit supp concurring opinion justice expressed view placing burden defendant limited group cases permissible provided defendant incentive cooperate process necessary reliable competency determination medina tr oral arg courts often referred prisoner insanity present insanity rather incompetence even proceeding concerned defendant competence stand trial beginning earliest cases issue sanity competency hearing whether prisoner sufficient understanding comprehend nature trial make proper defence charge king pritchard car eng england codified rule impanel jury determine whether defendant charged treason murder felony offense competent stand trial criminal lunatics act geo ch indeed although medina concluded permissible state require defendant shoulder burden demonstrating incompetence noted english authorities placed burden prosecutor competence put issue medina california see queen davies car eng judge ruled prosecutor begin call witnesses show prisoner sane capable pleading ley case lewin eng doubt prisoner sanity say fit state put upon trial see also halsbury laws england ed jury empanelled determine competency onus prosecution prove sanity defendant see queen podola crim app explicitly rejecting cooper oklahoma suggestion prosecutor must prove defendant competence stand trial given disagreement among english courts concerning party bore burden proof unlikely cases burden placed defendant burden weighty clear convincing evidence podola opined tests laid pritchard followed often may said firmly embodied law crim commonwealth braley mass case decided shortly constitution ratified instructed jury consider whether accused neglected refused plead indictment murder free malice whether neglect act god instruction may precursor sane insane disjunctive see also state tyler ohio mean preponderance evidence accused must show time trial probably sane compare people ah ying cal jury find defendant presently insane satisfied evidence supporting conclusion tyler state ohio instructive concerning proper interpretation authorities articulate standard proof phrase inquiry disjunctive case jury told task determine whether accused sane tyler ohio see also ohio explicitly instructed defendant bore burden proof preponderance evidence tyler ohio ohio see also state arnold iowa doubt must raised whether time mental impairment cooper oklahoma render probable prisoner far may devolve upon full fair impartial trial people mcelvaine familiar appearance conduct prisoner period trial sufficient grounds judge probability present sanity see also crocker state chisolm sd several early cases explicitly mention roots state statutory procedure determining competency see people mcelvaine think code criminal procedure made radical change mode procedure character competency proceedings french state statute providing inquisition probability accused time trial insane thereby incapacitated act determine whether insane substantially provision affirmance power common law cases abundantly appears authorities oklahoma concedes early common law statutory decisions employed standard proof lower clear convincing see brief respondent stat okla tit cons stat supp laws supp adoption clear convincing evidence standard oklahoma connecticut may response decision addington texas discuss addington infra see lackey state crim app cooper oklahoma mccarla state alaska app cal penal code ann west rev stat diaz state del flowers state app johnson state app haw rev stat comp ch montano state ind state rhode iowa app state seminary la jolley state md commonwealth prater mass rule crim proc griffin state miss state zorzy state lambert super state chapman people santos app div state heger ohio rev code ann state nance codified laws jordan state blacklock state tex app utah code ann code ann rev code code stat supp loomer state wyo burden imposed remaining unclear nothing competency statutes case law suggests however defendant bears burden proving incompetence clear convincing evidence see rule crim proc supp mitchell state ark idaho code stat ann rev stat ann michie rev stat tit supp comp laws state clark mo app mont code ann supp neb rev stat rev stat stat rev stat supp stat tit see haw rev stat comp ch codified laws stat supp supp ii see also addington involuntary civil commitment woodby ins deportation chaunt denaturalization schneiderman denaturalization opinions cruzan director mo dept health ohio akron center reproductive health contrary cruzan held due process clause prohibit missouri requiring third party seeks terminate treatment demonstrate clear convincing evidence incompetent person receiving treatment wish step taken cruzan reasoned heightened standard proof permissible decisionmaker surrogate incompetent individual consequences erroneous decision irreversible akron center reproductive health upheld ohio statute required unmarried unemancipated minor woman sought obtain abortion without notifying parent prove clear convincing evidence judicial bypass notification requirement appropriate case approved heightened standard proof case largely proceeding issue ex parte cronic jackson defendant regains competence found malingering state may proceed trial sir john hawles king william iii reigned noted great difference pretences realities sana non sana memoria hath often tryed capital matters prisoners reaped little benefit pretences always discovered rarely hear hawles remarks trial charles bateman tr see also people lake state harris state tyler ohio example mentally retarded defendant accused nonviolent crime may found incompetent stand trial necessarily subject involuntary civil commitment note addington purport resolve question concerning rights defendant criminal proceeding contrary opinion chief justice burger contrasted appropriate standard civil commitment proceedings rules applicable criminal cases interests defendant magnitude historically without explicit constitutional requirement protected standards proof designed exclude nearly possible likelihood erroneous judgment