TITLE 19

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 25

JUDGMENT

19-2523.  Consideration of mental illness in sentencing. (1) Evidence of mental condition shall be received, if offered, at the time of sentencing of any person convicted of a crime. In determining the sentence to be imposed in addition to other criteria provided by law, if the defendant’s mental condition is a significant factor, the court shall consider such factors as:

(a)  The extent to which the defendant is mentally ill;

(b)  The degree of illness or defect and level of functional impairment;

(c)  The prognosis for improvement or rehabilitation;

(d)  The availability of treatment and level of care required;

(e)  Any risk of danger which the defendant may create for the public, if at large, or the absence of such risk;

(f)  The capacity of the defendant to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law at the time of the offense charged.

(2)  The court shall authorize treatment during the period of confinement or probation specified in the sentence if, after the sentencing hearing, it concludes by clear and convincing evidence that:

(a)  The defendant suffers from a severe and reliably diagnosable mental illness or defect resulting in the defendant’s inability to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law;

(b)  Without treatment, the immediate prognosis is for major distress resulting in serious mental or physical deterioration of the defendant;

(c)  Treatment is available for such illness or defect;

(d)  The relative risks and benefits of treatment or nontreatment are such that a reasonable person would consent to treatment. (of the offense charged.)

(3)  In addition to the authorization of treatment, the court shall pronounce sentence as provided by law.

History:

[19-2523, added 1982, ch. 368, sec. 10, p. 925.]