Opinion ID: 2219373
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Credit for Time at IMCC.

Text: Before trial Capper gave notice that he might rely on the defenses of insanity or diminished responsibility. Later he applied to the court for an order allowing his examination at public expense to determine his mental competency at the time of the alleged offenses. The court had previously determined he was indigent and legal counsel had been appointed for him. On October 6, 1993, the court granted the application and ordered that the sheriff transport him to IMCC to undergo psychiatric and physical examination and evaluation. Later in October the sheriff transported him to IMCC. He remained at IMCC until December when he was released to the sheriff and returned to Poweshiek county. At the time of sentencing and entry of judgments on the verdicts, Capper requested he be given credit on his sentences for the time he was at IMCC. The court is required to incorporate into the sentence a statement of the days to be credited. Iowa Code § 901.6 (1993). The court allowed 115 days credit for time spent in the county jail but denied his request for additional credit because the examination and evaluation had been made at Capper's request. On appeal he claims the court improperly denied the requested credit. Iowa Code section 903A.5 provides in part: An inmate shall be deemed to be serving the sentence from the day on which the inmate is received into the institution. However, if an inmate was confined to a county jail or other correctional or mental facility at any time prior to sentencing, or after sentencing but prior to the case having been decided on appeal, because of failure to furnish bail or because of being charged with a nonbailable offense, the inmate shall be given credit for the days already served upon the term of the sentence. The IMCC is a correctional institution of the Iowa department of corrections. Id. §§ 904.102,.201. Persons may be admitted at the institution who are referred to the institution by the courts. Id. § 904.201(3)(c). We have held that voluntary time spent in securing alcohol treatment need not be credited by the court in an operating while intoxicated sentencing. State v. Wiese, 342 N.W.2d 858, 860 (Iowa 1984). The time spent in an alcohol treatment facility will apply only if the defendant is committed to the treatment by the court, not when the defendant voluntarily enters the treatment center after his arrest. Id. However, an inmate may be entitled to credit for time served in a jail or other correctional or mental facilities prior to sentencing. State v. Harrison, 468 N.W.2d 215, 217 (Iowa 1991). In its order for evaluation of Capper the court directed the transportation and examination be done at the expense of the State of Iowa and to be done with guard, if necessary. It was further ordered: That the defendant at all times pertinent hereto is to remain under the custody of this court and that upon completion of said evaluations and examinations, the defendant shall be transported back to the immediate custody of the agency formerly charged with his custody. Although Capper may have been out on bail at the time he made application for examination and evaluation, he was committed to the institution by court order. He was in the physical custody of the sheriff while being transported to and from the state institution and was in the custody of the institution and the court while at IMCC. Under these circumstances he is entitled to credit for days he was in custody of the sheriff and the court. We must remand for modification of the sentencing order to give him proper credit.