Arizona Laws 13-4506. Examination for purposes of insanity defense
A. On request of the court or any party, with the consent of the defendant and after a determination that a reasonable basis exists to support the plea of insanity, the mental health expert who is appointed pursuant to section 13-4505 shall provide a screening report that includes:
Terms Used In Arizona Laws 13-4506
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Mental health expert: means a physician who is licensed pursuant to Title 32, Chapter 13 or 17 or a psychologist who is licensed pursuant to Title 32, Chapter 19. See Arizona Laws 13-4501
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
1. The mental status of the defendant at the time of the offense.
2. If the expert determines that the defendant suffered from a mental disease, defect or disability at the time of the offense, the relationship of the disease, defect or disability to the alleged offense.
B. If the defendant’s state of mind at the time of the offense will be included in the examination, the court shall not appoint the expert to address this issue until the court receives the medical and criminal history records of the defendant.
C. Within ten working days after the expert is appointed, the parties shall provide any additional medical or criminal history records that are requested by the court or the expert.