Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. James ROBINSON, Defendant-Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1976-04-23
Citations: 530 F.2d 677
Docket Number: No. 75-3905
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. James ROBINSON, Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter 2d Series
Volume: 530
Pages: 677–679

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. James ROBINSON, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 75-3905
Summary Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
April 23, 1976.
Rehearing Denied May 21, 1976.
John W. Coleman, Mobile, Ala., for defendant-appellant.
Charles S. White-Spunner, Jr., U. S. Atty., Edward J. Vulevich, Jr., Asst. U. S. Atty., Mobile, Ala., for plaintiff-appel-lee.
Before COLEMAN, GOLDBERG and GEE, Circuit Judges.
Rule 18, 5 Cir., see Isbell Enterprises, Inc. v. Citizens Casualty Co. of New York et al., 5 Cir., 1970, 431 F.2d 409.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Appellant Robinson was convicted by a jury of possession of heroin with intent" to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). In this appeal, he argues that the trial court erred in proceeding with the trial after becoming aware that the defendant had taken heroin within two days prior to trial and as a result was under the influence of narcotics to such an extent that he continually fell asleep during the trial.
The general test endorsed by the Supreme Court for determining competency to stand trial is
whether [the defendant] has sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding — and whether he has a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him.
Dusky v. United States, 1960, 362 U.S. 402, 403, 80 S.Ct. 788, 789, 4 L.Ed.2d 824, 825. The test is applicable when a defendant's addiction to or withdrawal from drugs makes his competency questionable. Reed v. U. S., 5 Cir. 1976, 529 F.2d 1239 [No. 75-1545, April 12, 1976]; United States v. Williams, 5 Cir. 1972, 468 F.2d 819.
After the jury was impaneled in this case, the trial court on its own motion held an in camera hearing in which the court patiently and in detail questioned both defendant and defense counsel on whether defendant was competent to stand trial. Defense counsel initially offered the opinion that his client was "not in a condition to go to trial." After further consultation with defendant, and discussion with the court and the prosecutor, defense counsel reversed his position and indicated that he was no longer suggesting that his client was incompetent, and that the defense would not request an examination. Defendant consistently declared himself ready to proceed with the trial, and able to consult with counsel and to understand the charges against him.
The precise issue before us, then, is whether the trial court erred in failing su a sponte to order a delay of the trial and a competency examination for the defendant. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4244, the trial court has the power, and often the responsibility, to order such an examination sua sponte or on a motion from either party. In the circumstances of the case before us, however, we find no error in the trial court's decision to go ahead with the trial. The fact that a defendant is under some influence from narcotics does not per se render that defendant incompetent to stand trial. See United States v. Williams, supra. Cf. Reed v. U. S., supra; Jackson v. United States, 5 Cir. 1975, 512 F.2d 772 (addiction to narcotics does not per se render defendant incompetent to enter guilty plea).
In some circumstances, of course, the influence of drugs or the effects of withdrawal on a defendant could be sufficiently debilitating to reach the level of incompetency under the Dusky test, supra. The careful in camera questioning by the trial court in this case, and the responses of the defendant and defense counsel thereto, however, convince us that the court was fully justified in proceeding to trial without delay.
The conviction is affirmed.
AFFIRMED.