US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

552.045. 1. Whenever the court commits to a state institution for observation or detention the person afflicted with a mental disease or defect under authority of this chapter, the court shall also order a transcript of all, or any part, of the evidence or oral proceedings in the case to be given to the institution and the expense to be paid as authorized by section 485.100*, RSMo.

2. Whenever the court orders a person committed to a state institution for observation or detention under this chapter, an appropriate preliminary letter shall accompany the commitment order containing sufficient information to enable the institution to detain properly and to start preliminary evaluation of the committed person.

3. The preliminary letter shall include, if available, the following:

(1) A statement of the person's family and occupational status, past delinquency and criminal records;

(2) A summary of the facts surrounding the alleged crime, including reports of police investigation, if such document exists, a statement of his behavior while under arrest; and

(3) An opinion as to whether he has a violent nature and what degree of security detention seems appropriate.

(L. 1965 p. 668)

(1973) Prosecuting attorney may write appropriate preliminary letter. Barbarick v. State (Mo.), 496 S.W.2d 843.

*Transferred 2000; now 488.2250