UNDERSTAND...????

[dokkbudd]

Does anyone know what a judge actually means.... when he asks "Do you understand the charges?" in a courtroom...

[foreverinlove05]

umm...does that need any clarification? you have to know what the charges that are being brought against you mean...

[jwallbank]

I personally think that the judge is actually trying to determine if you are mentally challenged or not. I Knew a guy that YEARS AGO played like he was mentally challenged and the judge actually let the guy off for a minor infraction. I don't think that would work nowadays.

[foreverinlove05]

yeah...but simply asking someone if they understand isn't enough to make them think you're incompetent to some degree, there's the whole psych evaluation that's involved nowadays. if only it worked that way though

[gaylasue]

He is asking if the person knows what crime he is being accused of and about to stand trial for mainly to see if the person is competent to understand the proceedings.