RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Competency to Stand Trial and Defendants Who Lack Insight Into Their Mental Illness JF Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online JO J Am Acad Psychiatry Law FD American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law SP 85 OP 91 VO 41 IS 1 A1 Reisner, Andrew D. A1 Piel, Jennifer A1 Makey, Miller YR 2013 UL http://jaapl.org/content/41/1/85.abstract AB Forensic evaluators often assess patients who lack insight into their mental illnesses. This lack of insight can have a significant impact on the defendant's ability to make legal strategy decisions that rely on their acceptance of their mental illness. In this article, the relationship between refusing an insanity plea and competency to stand trial will be explored in the context of defendants who lack insight into their mental illness. The authors argue that an adequate competency assessment should take into account the defendant's ability to consider his available pleas rationally. Such evaluations may have the effect of negating the necessity of a Frendak inquiry in those jurisdictions that can impose the insanity defense on defendants.