Arizona § 13-4503 Request for competency examination; jurisdiction over competency hearings; referral

Arizona Statutes

§ 13-4503 — Request for competency examination; jurisdiction over competency hearings; referral

Arizona § 13-4503

Title 13Arizona Revised Statutes

Ch. 41INCOMPETENCE TO STAND TRIAL

This text of Arizona § 13-4503 (Request for competency examination; jurisdiction over competency hearings; referral) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Arizona primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-4503 (2026).

Text

A.At any time after the prosecutor charges a criminal offense by complaint, information or indictment, any party or the court on its own motion may request in writing that the defendant be examined to determine the defendant's competency to stand trial, to enter a plea or to assist the defendant's attorney. The motion shall state the facts on which the mental examination is sought.

B.The court may request that a mental health expert assist the court in determining if reasonable grounds exist for examining a defendant.

C.Except as provided in subsection D of this section, after any court determines that reasonable grounds exist for further competency proceedings, the superior court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all competency hearings.

D.The presiding judge of the superior c

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A. At any time after the prosecutor charges a criminal offense by complaint, information or indictment, any party or the court on its own motion may request in writing that the defendant be examined to determine the defendant's competency to stand trial, to enter a plea or to assist the defendant's attorney. The motion shall state the facts on which the mental examination is sought.

B. The court may request that a mental health expert assist the court in determining if reasonable grounds exist for examining a defendant.

C. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, after any court determines that reasonable grounds exist for further competency proceedings, the superior court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all competency hearings.

D. The presiding judge of the superior court in each county, with the agreement of the justice of the peace or municipal court judge, may authorize a justice court or municipal court to exercise jurisdiction over a competency hearing in a misdemeanor case that arises out of the justice court or municipal court.

E. A justice of the peace or municipal court judge, with the approval of the presiding judge of the superior court and the justice or judge of the receiving court, may refer a competency hearing to another justice court or municipal court that is located in the county.