Opinion ID: 108556
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: indiana commitment procedures

Text: Section 9-1706a contains both the procedural and substantive requirements for pretrial commitment of incompetent criminal defendants in Indiana. If at any time before submission of the case to the court or jury the trial judge has reasonable ground to believe the defendant to be insane, [2] he must appoint two examining physicians and schedule a competency hearing. The hearing is to the court alone, without a jury. The examining physicians' testimony and other evidence may be adduced on the issue of incompetency. If the court finds the defendant has not comprehension sufficient to understand the proceedings and make his defense, trial is delayed or continued and the defendant is remanded to the state department of mental health to be confined in an appropriate psychiatric institution. The section further provides that [w]henever the defendant shall become sane the superintendent of the institution shall certify that fact to the court, and the court shall order him brought on to trial. The court may also make such an order sua sponte. There is no statutory provision for periodic review of the defendant's condition by either the court or mental health authorities. Section 9-1706a by its terms does not accord the defendant any right to counsel at the competency hearing or otherwise describe the nature of the hearing; but Jackson was represented by counsel who cross-examined the testifying doctors carefully and called witnesses on behalf of the petitioner-defendant. Petitioner's central contention is that the State, in seeking in effect to commit him to a mental institution indefinitely, should have been required to invoke the standards and procedures of Ind. Ann. Stat. § 22-1907, now Ind. Code 16-15-1-3 (1971), governing commitment of feeble-minded persons. That section provides that upon application of a reputable citizen of the county and accompanying certificate of a reputable physician that a person is feeble-minded and is not insane or epileptic (emphasis supplied), a circuit court judge shall appoint two physicians to examine such person. After notice, a hearing is held at which the patient is entitled to be represented by counsel. If the judge determines that the individual is indeed feeble-minded, he enters an order of commitment and directs the clerk of the court to apply for the person's admission to the superintendent of the institution for feeble-minded persons located in the district in which said county is situated. A person committed under this section may be released at any time, provided that in the judgment of the superintendent, the mental and physical condition of the patient justifies it. § 22-1814, now Ind. Code 16-15-4-12 (1971). The statutes do not define either feeble-mindedness or insanity as used in § 22-1907. But a statute establishing a special institution for care of such persons, § 22-1801, refers to the duty of the State to provide care for its citizens who are feeble-minded, and are therefore unable properly to care for themselves. [3] These provisions evidently afford the State a vehicle for commitment of persons in need of custodial care who are not insane and therefore do not qualify as mentally ill under the State's general involuntary civil commitment scheme. See §§ 22-1201 to 22-1256, now Ind. Code 16-14-9-1 to XX-XX-X-XX, XX-XX-X-X to XX-XX-X-XX, 35-5-3-4, XX-XX-XX-X to XX-XX-XX-XX, and XX-XX-XX-X, XX-XX-XX-X, and XX-XX-XX-X (1971). Scant attention was paid this general civil commitment law by the Indiana courts in the present case. An understanding of it, however, is essential to a full airing of the equal protection claims raised by petitioner. Section 22-1201 (1) defines a mentally ill person as one who is afflicted with a psychiatric disorder which substantially impairs his mental health; and, because of such psychiatric disorder, requires care, treatment, training or detention in the interest of the welfare of such person or the welfare of others of the community in which such person resides. Section 22-1201 (2) defines a psychiatric disorder to be any mental illness or disease, including any mental deficiency, epilepsy, alcoholism, or drug addiction. Other sections specify procedures for involuntary commitment of mentally ill persons that are substantially similar to those for commitment of the feeble-minded. For example, a citizen's sworn statement and the statement of a physician are required. § 22-1212. The circuit court judge, the applicant, and the physician then consult to formulate a treatment plan. § 22-1213. Notice to the individual is required, § 22-1216, and he is examined by two physicians, § 22-1215. There are provisions for temporary commitment. A hearing is held before a judge on the issue of mental illness. §§ 22-1209, 22-1216, 22-1217. The individual has a right of appeal. § 22-1210. An individual adjudged mentally ill under these sections is remanded to the department of mental health for assignment to an appropriate institution. § 22-1209. Discharge is in the discretion of the superintendent of the particular institution to which the person is assigned, § 22-1223; Official Opinion No. 54, Opinions of the Attorney General of Indiana, Dec. 30, 1966. The individual, however, remains within the court's custody, and release can therefore be revoked upon a hearing. Ibid.