Print Friendly
Idaho Statutes
Idaho Statutes are updated to the website July 1 following the legislative session.
STATE PRISON AND COUNTY JAILS
CHAPTER 5
JUVENILE CORRECTIONS ACT
20-519A. EXAMINATION OF JUVENILE — COMPETENCY — APPOINTMENT OF PSYCHIATRISTS, LICENSED PSYCHOLOGISTS OR EVALUATION COMMITTEE — HOSPITALIZATION — REPORT. (1) At any time after the filing of a delinquency petition, a party may request in writing, or the court on its own motion may order, that the juvenile be examined to determine if the juvenile is competent to proceed. The request shall state the facts in support of the request for a competency examination. If, based upon the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, the court determines that there is good cause to believe that the juvenile is incompetent to proceed, then the court shall stay all proceedings and appoint at least one (1) examiner who shall be a qualified psychiatrist or licensed psychologist, or shall order the department of health and welfare to designate, within two (2) business days, at least one (1) examiner who shall be a qualified psychiatrist or licensed psychologist, to examine and report upon the mental condition of the juvenile. If there is reason to believe the basis for the juvenile’s incompetency is due to a developmental disability, the court shall appoint an evaluation committee as defined in section 66-402, Idaho Code, or shall order the department of health and welfare to designate, within two (2) business days, an evaluation committee, to examine and report upon the mental condition of the juvenile. The county shall be responsible for the cost of such evaluation subject to any reimbursement by the parents or other legal guardian of the juvenile. The court may order the parents or other legal guardian of the juvenile, unless indigent, to contribute to the costs of such examination in an amount to be set by the court after due notice to the parent or other legal guardian and the opportunity to be heard.
(2) A juvenile is competent to proceed if he or she has:
(a) A sufficient present ability to consult with his or her lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding;
(b) A rational and factual understanding of the proceedings against him or her; and
(c) The capacity to assist in preparing his or her defense.
(3) Within three (3) business days of the appointment or designation of an examiner or an evaluation committee pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the examiner or evaluation committee shall determine the best location for the examination. The examination shall be conducted on an outpatient basis unless the court specifically finds that hospitalization or confinement of the juvenile for evaluation of competency is necessary, the juvenile is currently hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital or the juvenile is detained. The court may order the juvenile be confined to a hospital or other suitable facility, including detention as defined in section 20-502, Idaho Code, after a hearing to determine whether such confinement is necessary. Any such confinement shall be for the purpose of examination and shall be for a period not exceeding ten (10) days from the date of admission to the hospital or other suitable facility. The court, upon request, may make available to the examiner or the evaluation committee any court records relating to the juvenile.
(4) The examiner or evaluation committee may employ any method of examination that is accepted by the examiner’s profession for the examination of juveniles alleged not to be competent, provided that such examination shall, at a minimum, include formal assessments of the juvenile in each of the following domains:
(a) Cognitive functioning;
(b) Adaptive functioning;
(c) Clinical functioning;
(d) Comprehension of relevant forensic issues; and
(e) Genuineness of effort.
(5) If at any time during the examination process, the examiner has reason to believe that the juvenile’s alleged incompetency may be the result of a developmental disability and the matter has not already been referred to an evaluation committee for review, the examiner shall immediately notify the court. The court shall appoint an evaluation committee, or shall order the department of health and welfare to designate, within two (2) business days, an evaluation committee, to examine and report upon the mental condition of the juvenile. Conversely, if at any time during the examination process an evaluation committee has reason to believe the juvenile’s alleged incompetency is not the result of a developmental disability, the evaluation committee shall immediately notify the court so the examination can be completed by a qualified psychiatrist or licensed psychologist as set forth in subsection (1) of this section. The new examination and report shall be conducted within the time frames set forth in subsection (6) of this section.
(6) The examiner or evaluation committee shall submit a written report to the court within thirty (30) days of receipt of the appointment or designation. The report shall address the factors set forth in section 20-519B, Idaho Code. If the examiner or evaluation committee determines that the juvenile is incompetent to proceed, the report shall also include the following:
(a) The nature of the mental disease, defect, disability or other condition including chronological age that is the cause of the juvenile’s incompetency;
(b) The juvenile’s prognosis;
(c) Whether the examiner or evaluation committee believes the juvenile may be restored to competency and an estimated time period in which competence could be restored with treatment;
(d) If the juvenile may be restored to competency, the recommendations for restoration shall be the least restrictive alternative that is consistent with public safety;
(e) If the juvenile is not competent and there is no substantial probability that the juvenile can be restored to competency within six (6) months, a recommendation as to whether the juvenile meets the criteria set forth in section 16-2418, 66-329(11) or 66-406(11), Idaho Code, and identification of any other services recommended for the juvenile that are the least restrictive, community based and consistent with public safety; and
(f) No statements of the juvenile relating to the alleged offense shall be included in the report unless such statements are relevant to the examiner or evaluation committee’s opinion regarding competency.
(7) The court, upon a finding of good cause, may alter the time frames for the designation of an examiner or evaluation committee, the completion of the examination or the completion of the report but shall ensure that the examination and competency determination occur as expeditiously as possible. The court may, upon a finding of good cause, vacate or continue the ninety (90) day restoration review hearing set forth in section 20-519C, Idaho Code.
(8) The report of the examination shall be filed in triplicate with the clerk of the court, who shall cause copies to be delivered to the prosecuting attorney and to counsel for the juvenile.
(9) If the examination cannot be conducted by reason of the unwillingness of the juvenile to participate, the report shall so state and shall include, if possible, an opinion as to whether such unwillingness of the juvenile was the result of age, mental disease, defect or disability and whether the examiner recommends that a second examiner be appointed to examine the juvenile.
History: