Court Opinion

ID: 9731110
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 15:33:43.220925+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:13.429351
License: Public Domain

R. B. Burns, J.
(concurring in results). I must disagree with the majority insofar as they hold that a trial judge has any discretion in committing a defendant to the center for forensic psychiatry, once a proper motion has been made for such commitment.
In my opinion, when a defendant makes a proper motion in the trial court, for commitment to the center, it is mandatory that the trial judge then commit him. People v Ledbetter, 31 Mich App 160; 187 NW2d 507 (1971); People v Howard, *6537 Mich App 662; 195 NW2d 289 (1972); People v Jackson, 40 Mich App 237; 198 NW2d 714 (1972).
However, in my opinion the defendant did not file a proper motion in the trial court for such a determination. The defendant raised the issue of competency to stand trial by an oral motion on the date of trial.
GCR 1963, 786.1 states:
"The issue of a defendant’s competence to stand trial * * * may be raised at any time before trial by a written motion to commit the defendant to the department of Mental Health.”
Affirmed.