Opinion ID: 885610
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Failure to seek mental health evaluation

Text: ¶ 18 Thee claims that defense counsel failed to have him evaluated by any mental health counselors to determine his competency. The court record shows that defense counsel requested and the court authorized a mental health examination. Although a copy of the report by forensic psychologist Dr. Green is not included in the record on appeal, defense counsel described the results of the evaluation in his response to Thee's petition for post-conviction relief. According to Olson, Dr. Green concluded beyond a reasonable doubt not only that the defendant was fully competent to understand the charges against him and to assist in his own defense, but that the defendant did not suffer from a mental disease or defect either at the time of the offense or at any other relevant time. ¶ 19 We indulge a presumption that counsel's actions fall within the wide range of reasonable and sound professional assistance. Contrary to Thee's allegations, defense counsel sought and obtained a court-ordered mental health evaluation of his client. In this case, it appears defense counsel took the unequivocal findings of the mental health evaluation into consideration when advising Thee to accept the plea agreement. We find no deficiency in defense counsel's performance.