pate hearing
Pate hearing. A proceeding in which the trial court seeks to determine whether a criminal defendant is competent to stand trial. Pate v. Robinson, 383 U.S. 375, 86 S.Ct. 836 (1966); 18 USCA §§ 4241–4247. — Also termed competency hearing; incompetency hearing. [Cases: Criminal Law 625.10–625.35. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 551, 554–555, 557.]