§ 1370.1. — 1370.1. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 646, Sec. 5.)

California § 1370.1.

• Jurisdiction: California
• Code PEN: Penal Code - PEN
• Title: 10.
• Part 2.: TITLE 10. MISCELLANEOUS PROCEEDINGS
• Ch. 6.: CHAPTER 6. Inquiry into the Competence of the Defendant Before Trial or After Conviction

Text

(a)
(1)
(A)
If the defendant is found mentally competent, the criminal process shall resume, the trial on the offense charged or hearing on the alleged violation shall proceed, and judgment may be pronounced.
(B)
If the defendant is found mentally incompetent and has been determined by a regional center to have a developmental disability, the trial or judgment shall be suspended until the defendant becomes mentally competent.
(i)
Except as provided in clause (ii) or (iii), the court shall consider a recommendation for placement. The recommendation shall be made to the court by
the director of a regional center or the director’s designee. In the meantime, the court shall order that the mentally incompetent defendant be delivered by the sheriff or other person designated by the court to a state hospital, developmental center, or any other available residential facility approved by the director of a regional center established under Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500) of the Welfare and Institutions Code as will promote the defendant’s speedy attainment of mental competence, or be placed on outpatient status pursuant to the provisions of Section 1370.4 and Title 15 (commencing with Section 1600).
(ii)
When the action against a defendant who has been found mentally incompetent is on a complaint charging a felony offense specified in Section 290, the prosecutor shall determine whether the defendant previously
has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial pursuant to this chapter on a charge of a Section 290 offense, or whether the defendant is currently the subject of a pending Section 1368 proceeding arising out of a charge of an offense specified in Section 290. If either determination is made, the prosecutor shall so notify the court and defendant in writing. After this notification, and opportunity for hearing, the court shall order that the defendant be delivered by the sheriff to a state hospital or other secure treatment facility for the care and treatment of persons with developmental disabilities unless the court makes specific findings on the record that an alternative placement would provide more appropriate treatment for the defendant and would not pose a danger to the health and safety of others.
(iii)
If the action against the
defendant who has been found mentally incompetent is on a complaint charging a felony offense specified in Section 290 and the defendant has been denied bail pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12 of Article I of the California Constitution because the court has found, based upon clear and convincing evidence, a substantial likelihood that the person’s release would result in great bodily harm to others, the court shall order that the defendant be delivered by the sheriff to a state hospital for the care and treatment of persons with developmental disabilities unless the court makes specific findings on the record that an alternative placement would provide more appropriate treatment for the defendant and would not pose a danger to the health and safety of others.
(iv)
The clerk of the court shall notify the Department of Justice,
in writing, of a finding of mental incompetence with respect to a defendant who is subject to clause (ii) or (iii) for inclusion in the defendant’s state summary criminal history information.
(C)
If the court finds that there is no substantial likelihood that the defendant will attain mental competence in the foreseeable future, the court shall proceed as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
(D)
Upon becoming competent, the court shall order that the defendant be returned to the committing court pursuant to the procedures set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1372 or by another person designated by the court. The court shall further determine conditions under which the person may be absent from the placement for medical
treatment, social visits, and other similar activities. Required levels of supervision and security for these activities shall be specified.
(E)
The court shall transmit a copy of its order to the regional center director or the director’s designee and to the Director of Developmental Services.
(F)
A defendant charged with a violent felony may not be placed in a facility or delivered to a state hospital, developmental center, or residential facility pursuant to this subdivision unless the facility, state hospital, developmental center, or residential facility has a secured perimeter or a locked and controlled treatment facility, and the judge determines that the public safety will be protected.
(G)
For purposes of this
paragraph, “violent felony” means an offense specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5.
(H)
A defendant charged with a violent felony may be placed on outpatient status, as specified in Section 1370.4 or 1600, only if the court finds that the placement will not pose a danger to the health or safety of others.
(I)
As used in this section, “developmental disability” has the same meaning as in Section 4512 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(2)
Prior to making the order directing that the defendant be confined in a state hospital, developmental center, or other residential facility, or be placed on outpatient status, the court shall order the regional center director or the director’s designee to evaluate
the defendant and to submit to the court, within 15 judicial days of the order, a written recommendation as to whether the defendant should be committed to a state hospital, a developmental center, or to any other available residential facility approved by the regional center director. A person shall not be admitted to a state hospital, developmental center, or other residential facility or accepted for outpatient status under Section 1370.4 without having been evaluated by the regional center director or the director’s designee.
(3)
If the court orders that the defendant be confined in a state hospital or other secure treatment facility pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), the court shall provide copies of the following documents, which shall be taken with the defendant to the state hospital or other secure
treatment facility where the defendant is to be confined:
(A)
State summary criminal history information.
(B)
Any arrest reports prepared by the police department or other law enforcement agency.
(C)
Records of a finding of mental incompetence pursuant to this chapter arising out of a complaint charging a felony offense specified in Section 290 or a pending Section 1368 proceeding arising out of a charge of an offense specified in Section 290.
(4)
When the defendant is committed to a residential facility pursuant to clause (i) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) or the court makes the findings specified in clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (B) of
paragraph (1) to assign the defendant to a facility other than a state hospital or other secure treatment facility, the court shall order that notice be given to the appropriate law enforcement agency or agencies having local jurisdiction at the site of the placement facility of a finding of mental incompetence pursuant to this chapter arising out of a charge of an offense specified in Section 290.
(5)
(A)
If the defendant is committed or transferred to a state hospital or developmental center pursuant to this section, the court may, upon receiving the written recommendation of the executive director of the state hospital or developmental center and the regional center director that the defendant be transferred to a residential facility approved by the regional center director, order the defendant transferred to that
facility. If the defendant is committed or transferred to a residential facility approved by the regional center director, the court may, upon receiving the written recommendation of the regional center director, transfer the defendant to a state hospital, a developmental center, or to another residential facility approved by the regional center director.
In the event of dismissal of the criminal action or revocation proceedings before the defendant recovers competence, the person shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code) or to commitment or detention pursuant to a petition filed pursuant to Section 6502 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
The defendant or prosecuting attorney may contest
either kind of order of transfer by filing a petition with the court for a hearing, which shall be held if the court determines that sufficient grounds exist. At the hearing, the prosecuting attorney or the defendant may present evidence bearing on the order of transfer. The court shall use the same standards as used in conducting probation revocation hearings pursuant to Section 1203.2.
Prior to making an order for transfer under this section, the court shall notify the defendant, the attorney of record for the defendant, the prosecuting attorney, and the regional center director or designee.
(B)
If the defendant is committed to a state hospital or secure treatment facility pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) and is subsequently transferred to another facility,
copies of the documents specified in paragraph (3) shall be taken with the defendant to the new facility. The transferring facility shall also notify the appropriate law enforcement agency or agencies having local jurisdiction at the site of the new facility that the defendant is a person subject to clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1).
(b)
(1)
Within 90 days of admission of a person committed pursuant to subdivision (a), the executive director or the director’s designee of the state hospital, developmental center, or other facility to which the defendant is committed, shall make a written report to the committing court and the regional center director or a designee concerning the defendant’s progress toward becoming mentally competent. If the defendant is placed on outpatient status, this report
shall be made to the committing court by the regional center director or the director’s designee. If the defendant has not become mentally competent, but the report discloses a substantial likelihood the defendant will become mentally competent within the next 90 days, the court may order that the defendant remain in the state hospital, developmental center, or other facility or on outpatient status for that period of time. Within 150 days of an admission made pursuant to subdivision (a), or if the defendant becomes mentally competent, the executive director or the director’s designee of the state hospital, developmental center, or other facility to which the defendant is committed shall report to the court and the regional center director or the director’s designee regarding the defendant’s progress toward becoming mentally competent. If the defendant is placed on outpatient status, the regional
center director or the director’s designee shall make that report to the committing court. The court shall provide copies of all reports under this section to the prosecutor and defense counsel. If the report indicates that there is no substantial likelihood that the defendant has become mentally competent, the committing court shall order the defendant to be returned to the court for proceedings pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c). The court shall transmit a copy of its order to the regional center director or the director’s designee and to the executive director of the developmental center.
(2)
If it is determined by the court that treatment for the defendant’s mental impairment is not being conducted, the defendant shall be returned to the committing court. A copy of this order shall be sent to the regional center director or the
director’s designee and to the executive director of the developmental center.
(3)
At each review by the court specified in this subdivision, the court shall determine if the security level of housing and treatment is appropriate and may make an order in accordance with its determination.
(c)
(1)
(A)
At the end of two years from the date of commitment or a period of commitment equal to the maximum term of imprisonment provided by law for the most serious offense charged in the information, indictment, or misdemeanor complaint, or the maximum term of imprisonment provided by law for a violation of probation or mandatory supervision, whichever is shorter, a defendant who has not become mentally competent shall be returned to the
committing court.
(B)
The court shall notify the regional center director or the director’s designee and the executive director of the developmental center of that return and of any resulting court orders.
(2)
(A)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in the event of dismissal of the criminal charges before the defendant becomes mentally competent, the defendant shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code), or to commitment and detention pursuant to a petition filed pursuant to Section 6502 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. If it is found that the person is not subject to commitment or detention pursuant to the applicable provision of
the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code) or to commitment or detention pursuant to a petition filed pursuant to Section 6502 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the individual shall not be subject to further confinement pursuant to this article and the criminal action remains subject to dismissal pursuant to Section 1385. The court shall notify the regional center director and the executive director of the developmental center of any dismissal.
(B)
In revocation proceedings alleging a violation of mandatory supervision in which the defendant remains incompetent upon return to court under subparagraph (A), the defendant shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of Division 5 of the Welfare
and Institutions Code), or to commitment and detention pursuant to a petition filed pursuant to Section 6502 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. If it is found that the person is not subject to commitment or detention pursuant to the applicable provision of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code) or to commitment or detention pursuant to a petition filed pursuant to Section 6502 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the court shall reinstate mandatory supervision and modify the terms and conditions of supervision to include appropriate mental health treatment or refer the matter to a local mental health court, reentry court, or other collaborative justice court available for improving the mental health of the defendant. Actions alleging a violation of mandatory supervision are not subject to dismissal under Section 1385.
(d)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), the criminal action remains subject to dismissal pursuant to Section 1385. If at any time prior to the maximum period of time allowed for proceedings under this article, the regional center director concludes that the behavior of the defendant related to the defendant’s criminal offense has been eliminated during time spent in court-ordered programs, the court may, upon recommendation of the regional center director, dismiss the criminal charges. The court shall transmit a copy of any order of dismissal to the regional center director and to the executive director of the developmental center.
(e)
If a defendant is returned to court pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a),
paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), or subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), and the prosecution elects to dismiss and refile charges pursuant to Section 1387, the court shall presume that the defendant is incompetent unless the court is presented with relevant and credible evidence that the defendant is competent. Such evidence may include medical records, witness statements, or reports by qualified medical experts. If the court is satisfied that it has received substantial evidence that the defendant is competent, the court shall proceed as provided in Section 1369. Otherwise, the court shall find that the defendant is not mentally competent to stand trial and proceed as provided in subdivision (c).
(f)
If the defendant is found incompetent after the refiling of charges, the defendant may be further
committed only for the balance of time remaining pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c). The maximum term of commitment as specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) applies to the aggregate of all previous commitments. The court shall not order the defendant returned to the custody of the State Department of Developmental Services for the purposes of restoration of competency.
(g)
For the purpose of this section, “secure treatment facility” does not include, except for state mental hospitals, state developmental centers, and correctional treatment facilities, a facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250) of, Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of, or Chapter 3.2 (commencing with Section 1569) of, Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, or a community
board and care facility.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 646, Sec. 5. (SB 1323) Effective January 1, 2025.