Charles M. Torrence v. Hazel Peterson, Warden
DueProcess HabeasCorpus JusticiabilityDoctri
Whether a mental competency hearing is a critical stage of a criminal prosecution requiring representation by counsel under the Sixth Amendment
QUESTIONS PRESENTED ONE: Whether it is of statewide, and even nationwide importance, for the United States Supreme Court to declare definitively whether a mental competency hearing harbors "significant consequences" for a criminal defendant which makes it a "critical stage" in the criminal prosecution requiring representation by counsel under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution? , TWO: If the answer to ONE is yes, did the state of Kansas deny . Charles M. Torrence his Sixth Amendment constitutional right to .-.° counsel at his competency hearing? Pe 4 -ii: