For the purposes of this chapter, the term:
(1) “Competence” means that a defendant has sufficient present ability to consult with his or her lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding and has a rational, as well as a factual, understanding of the proceedings against him or her.
(2) “Court” or “Superior Court” means the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(3) “Defendant” means a defendant in a criminal case or a respondent in a transfer proceeding.
(4) “DMH” means the Department of Mental Health.
(5) “Incompetent” means that, as a result of a mental disease or defect, a defendant does not have sufficient present ability to consult with his or her lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or does not have a rational, as well as a factual, understanding of the proceedings against him or her.
(6) “Inpatient treatment facility” means:
(A) Saint Elizabeths Hospital;
(B) Any other physically secure hospital for the examination or treatment of persons with mental illness; or
(C) Any physically secure or staff-secure facility for the examination, treatment, or habilitation of persons with mental retardation.
(7) “MRDDA“means the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration.
(8) “Transfer proceeding” means a proceeding pursuant to § 16-2307 to transfer a respondent who is alleged to be a delinquent in a juvenile case from the Family Court to the Criminal Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to face adult criminal charges.
(9) “Treatment” means the services or supports provided to persons with mental illness or mental retardation, including services or supports that are offered or ordered to restore a person to competence, to assist a person in becoming competent, or to ensure that a person will be competent.
(10) “Treatment provider” means:
(A) The Department of Mental Health;
(B) The Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration;
(C) An inpatient treatment facility as defined in paragraph (6) of this section; or
(D) Any other entity or individual designated by the DMH or MRDDA to provide evaluation, examination, treatment, or habilitation pursuant to this chapter that:
(i) Is duly licensed or certified under the laws of the District of Columbia to provide services or supports to persons with mental illness or mental retardation, or both; and
(ii) Has entered into an agreement with the District to provide mental health services or mental health supports or to provide services or supports to persons with mental retardation.
CREDIT(S)
(May 24, 2005, D.C. Law 15-358, § 101, 52 DCR 2015.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
Law 15-358, the “Incompetent Defendants Criminal Commitment Act of 2004”, was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 15-967, which was referred to the Committee on Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on December 7, 2004, and December 21, 2004, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on January 19, 2005, it was assigned Act No. 15-748 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 15-358 became effective on May 2005.
