Opinion ID: 1354167
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Continuance to Obtain Independent Mental Evaluation

Text: For her second point for reversal, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in denying her motion for a continuance so that she could obtain an independent mental evaluation. The record reflects that Appellant received a court-ordered mental evaluation to determine whether she was competent to assist in her trial. Appellant then filed a motion for an independent evaluation on the ground that the report from the first evaluation contained inaccurate information, such as listing her husband's name incorrectly. Appellant also filed a motion for continuance until the independent evaluation could be done. The trial court denied the continuance for three reasons: (1) Appellant was not diligent in seeking an independent evaluation; (2) there was no evidence that she had a history of mental illness or was otherwise not capable of assisting in her defense; and (3) her claim that the psychologist's report contained inaccuracies was self-serving. Appellant now contends that the trial court's ruling was erroneous. We disagree. This court has repeatedly held that the grant or denial of a continuance is within the sound discretion of the trial court, and its decision will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion amounting to a denial of justice. See Dirickson v. State, 329 Ark. 572, 953 S.W.2d 55 (1997); Miller v. State, 328 Ark. 121, 942 S.W.2d 825 (1997); Turner v. State, 326 Ark. 115, 931 S.W.2d 86 (1996). The following factors are to be considered by the trial court: (1) the diligence of the movant; (2) the probable effect of the testimony at trial; (3) the likelihood of procuring the attendance of the witness in the event of a postponement; and (4) the filing of an affidavit, stating not only what facts the witness would prove, but also that the appellant believes them to be true. Id. To demonstrate error on appeal, an appellant must show that he or she was prejudiced by the trial court's denial of the continuance. Id. When an accused raises the defense of mental disease or defect or places his or her competency in issue, the trial court must follow the procedures for evaluation set out in Ark.Code Ann. § 5-2-305 (Repl.1997). An evaluation performed under section 5-2-305 does not ordinarily require a second opinion, and further evaluation is discretionary with the trial court. Dirickson, 329 Ark. 572, 953 S.W.2d 55. In other words, the State is not required to pay for a defendant to shop from doctor to doctor until he finds one who will declare him incompetent to proceed with his trial. Id. at 577, 953 S.W.2d at 57 (citing Brown v. State, 316 Ark. 724, 875 S.W.2d 828 (1994)). Indeed, the law is well settled that an accused is presumed competent to stand trial, and the burden of proving incompetence is on the accused. See Turner, 326 Ark. 115, 931 S.W.2d 86. Here, the record reflects that Appellant sought and was granted an evaluation pursuant to section 5-2-305. Appellant was then evaluated by Dr. Lillian Chaney, a psychologist in Hot Springs. During the hearing below, Appellant's attorney explained that they had initially sought an evaluation because there was some question as to whether Appellant, who was under medication and had experienced some memory loss, was able to aid in her defense. Although the report is not contained in the record, we may presume that Dr. Chaney determined that Appellant was competent to proceed with her trial. In denying the motion for continuance, the trial court emphasized that Appellant had not been diligent in attempting to get a second evaluation. The record demonstrates that Dr. Chaney's report was received by the defense on August 30, 1999; however, no request was made for an independent evaluation until September 16, 1999. The trial court pointed out that Appellant had private counsel and had her own source of funds, such that she did not need a court order to obtain a second evaluation. The trial court also noted that the State had offered to assist in providing funds for an independent evaluation. Moreover, the trial court found that the delay requested by Appellant was due to her psychologist's schedule and was not related to the length of time necessary to complete the tests, which the psychologist testified could be done in two to three days. Additionally, the trial court was not persuaded by the legitimacy of the reasons given for the second evaluation. There was simply no evidence offered by Appellant that she had actually suffered from a mental disease or defect or was otherwise incompetent to stand trial. Rather, the reasons given for the second evaluation was to correct factual inaccuracies contained in Dr. Chaney's report, such as the name of Appellant's new husband and the location where they were married. Neither the motion for the second evaluation nor the testimony of the defense's psychologist asserted that Appellant was not competent to stand trial. Moreover, Appellant's defense was one of general denial and was not based on a claim of mental disease or defect. Accordingly, Appellant has failed to show that she was prejudiced by the trial court's denial of her motion for continuance. See Turner, 326 Ark. 115, 931 S.W.2d 86. We thus cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion.