§ 14-6-219 — Physical and mental examinations; involuntary commitment of incompetents; subsequent proceedings

Wyoming § 14-6-219

• Jurisdiction: Wyoming
• Title 14: Children
• Ch. 6: JUVENILES
• Art. 2: JUVENILE JUSTICE ACT

Text

(a) Any time after the filing of a petition, on motion of
the district attorney or the child's parents, guardian,
custodian or attorney or on motion of the court, the court may
order the child to be examined by a licensed and qualified
physician, surgeon, psychiatrist or psychologist designated by
the court to aid in determining the physical and mental
condition of the child. The examination shall be conducted on an
outpatient basis, but the court may commit the child to a
suitable medical facility or institution for examination if
deemed necessary. Commitment for examination shall not exceed
fifteen (15) days. Any time after the filing of a petition, the
court on its own motion or motion of the district attorney or
the child's parents, guardian, custodian or attorney, may order
the child's parents, guardians or other custodial members of the
child's family to undergo a substance use disorder assessment at
the expense of the child's parents, guardians or other custodial
members of the child's family and to fully comply with all
findings and recommendations set forth in the assessment.
Failure to comply may result in contempt proceedings as set
forth in W.S. 14-6-242.
(b) If a child has been committed to a medical facility or
institution for mental examination prior to adjudication of the
petition and if it appears to the court from the mental
examination that the child is competent to participate in
further proceedings and is not suffering from mental illness or
intellectual disability to a degree rendering the child subject
to involuntary commitment to the Wyoming state hospital or the
Wyoming life resource center, the court shall order the child
returned to the court without delay.
(c) If it appears to the court by mental examination
conducted before adjudication of the petition that a child
alleged to be delinquent is incompetent to participate in
further proceedings by reason of mental illness or intellectual
disability to a degree rendering the child subject to
involuntary commitment to the Wyoming state hospital or the
Wyoming life resource center, the court shall hold further
proceedings under this act in abeyance. The district attorney
shall then commence proceedings in the district court for
commitment of the child to the appropriate institution as
provided by law.
(d) The juvenile court shall retain jurisdiction of the
child on the petition pending final determination of the
commitment proceedings in the district court. If proceedings in
the district court commit the child to the Wyoming state
hospital, the Wyoming life resource center or any other facility
or institution for treatment and care of people with a mental
illness or an intellectual disability, the petition shall be
dismissed and further proceedings under this act terminate. If
proceedings in the district court determine the child does not
have a mental illness or an intellectual disability to a degree
rendering him subject to involuntary commitment, the court shall
proceed to a final adjudication of the petition and disposition
of the child under the provisions of this act.