The Alabama Department of Mental Health Office of Forensic Outpatient Services provides administrative oversight of forensic evaluations conducted by Certified Forensic Examiners i.e. psychiatrists and psychologists, for use in court or otherwise in connection with a legal matter.  Forensic services are provided (i) upon order of a Circuit Court, (ii) in a criminal case, (iii) in accordance with standards and procedures established by the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 11. 

The issues most often addressed are (i) competency to stand trial (whether a criminal defendant is able to participate meaningfully in the proceedings against him or her), (ii) mental state at the time of the offense (whether at the time of the commission of the acts constituting the offense, the defendant, as a result of severe mental disease or defect, was unable to appreciate the nature and quality or wrongfulness of his acts), (iii) competency to waive Miranda (whether the defendant knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his or her right to counsel in writing or on the record).

Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 11 does not apply to proceedings in district or municipal courts.

All court orders and case-related documents should be forwarded to the ADMH Forensic Outpatient Services centralized email address at fop.dmh@mh.alabama.gov or e-faxed to (334) 230.5546.  The centralized email inbox is monitored by assigned OP-Forensics staff Monday through Friday, with the exception of state and/or federal holidays.  DO NOT forward court orders and/or requested information to individual staff email addresses.  This may cause a delay in the initiation of the outpatient forensic evaluation process.