12.1-04-06. Examination - Temporary commitment.
Whenever there is reason to doubt the defendant's fitness to proceed, the court may order the detention of the defendant for the purpose of an examination by a
psychiatrist or a licensed psychologisttier 1a mental health professional. The detention must be in the least restrictive appropriate setting, including the state hospital, the life skills and transition center, or other suitable facility for a reasonable period, not to exceed thirty days, for such examination. In lieu of detention, the court may allow the defendant to remain in the defendant's present residential setting or other suitable residential setting for the purpose of evaluation by a suitable facility or personnel, subject to any reasonable limitation the court may impose. A human service center may not be considered a suitable facility and may not be considered suitable personnel under this section unless the court is aware that an inquiry has beenwas made prior tobefore the court orderingordered the evaluation to ensure that appropriate resources exist at the human service center being ordered to conduct the evaluation. The court, by subsequent order and for good cause shown, may extend the detention for a period not to exceed thirty additional days. While the defendant is detained, the defendant's legal counsel, family, and others necessary to assist in the defendant's case shallmust have reasonable opportunity to examine and confer with the defendant.
SECTION 4. AMENDMENT. Section 12.1-04.1-02 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
12.1-04.1-02. Court authorization of state-funded mental health services for certain defendants.
A defendant who is unable to pay for the services of a tier 1a mental health professional, and to whom those services are not otherwise available, may apply to the court for assistance. Upon a showing of a likely need for examination on the question of lack of criminal responsibility or lack of requisite state of mind as a result of the defendant's mental condition, the court shall authorize reasonable expenditures from public funds for the defendant's retention of the services of one or more tier 1a mental health professionals. Upon request by the defendant, the application and the proceedings on the application must be ex parte and in camera, but any order under this section authorizing expenditures must be made part of the public record.
SECTION 5. AMENDMENT. Section 12.1-04.1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
12.1-04.1-03. Notice of defense of lack of criminal responsibility.
1. If the defendant intends to assert the defense of lack of criminal responsibility, the defendant shall notify the prosecuting attorney in writing and file a copy of the notice with the court. The notice must indicate whether the defendant intends to introduce at trial evidence obtained from examination of the defendant by a tier 1a mental health professional after the time of the alleged offense.
2. The defendant shall file the notice within the time prescribed for pretrial motions or at such earlier or later time as the court directs. For cause shown, the court may allow late filing of the notice and grant additional time to the parties to prepare for trial or may make other appropriate orders.
3. If the defendant fails to give notice in accordance with this section, lack of criminal responsibility may not be asserted as a defense.
