competence hearing
- noun
- /ˈkɒmpɪtəns ˈhɪərɪŋ/
- Formal
:
audiencia de competencia
- The judge ordered a competence hearing to decide if the defendant could stand trial.
Examples
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After the results of the competence hearing, the court ruled that the accused was fit to proceed.
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His attorney requested a competence hearing due to concerns about his mental health.
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The judge scheduled a competence hearing for next week.
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During the competence hearing, the defendant appeared nervous.
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The judge scheduled a competence hearing to assess if the defendant could understand the charges against him.
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During the competence hearing, the psychologist evaluated whether the defendant could assist in his own defense.
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The attorney argued that a competence hearing was necessary to determine the defendant's understanding of the legal process.
Synonyms
∞
3.6
A meeting where people present evidence in a court or committee
3
6.3
A court process to decide people's rights and duties
Surface Forms
Morphology
A B1 learner who knows 'competence' and 'hearing' can reasonably infer this is a formal/official session about someone's competence because the phrase is compositional (a hearing concerning competence). However, the specific legal nuance — that it refers to mental capacity to understand charges and assist in defense — is specialized jargon and may not be fully predictable without prior exposure, so the phrase is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Competence hearing is a court meeting where judges check a person's competence, or the ability to understand what is happening and to take part in their defense, and the hearing is that meeting. So, a competence hearing is used 'to decide if someone can stand trial'.