(1) The court shall hold a hearing no later than thirty (30) days after the report of the examiner or evaluation committee is filed pursuant to the provisions of section 20-519A, Idaho Code. At the hearing, the court may receive as evidence the report of the examiner or evaluation committee. In considering whether the juvenile is competent to proceed, the court shall consider the following:
(a)  A description of the nature, content, extent and results of the examination and any test that was conducted;
(b)  The juvenile’s capacity to understand the charges or allegations against the juvenile;
(c)  The juvenile’s capacity to understand the range and nature of possible penalties that may be imposed in the proceedings;
(d)  The juvenile’s capacity to understand the adversarial nature of the legal process;
(e)  The juvenile’s capacity to disclose to counsel facts pertinent to the proceedings at issue;
(f)  Whether the juvenile is able to display appropriate courtroom behavior;
(g)  Whether the juvenile is able to receive accurate impressions of the facts about which he or she is examined, is able to appreciate the meaning of an oath to tell the truth and has an understanding of the potential consequences of not telling the truth;
(h)  The examiner’s opinion as to the competency of the juvenile as defined in subsection (2) of section 20-519A, Idaho Code.
(2)  The weight to be given to each of the factors listed in subsection (1) of this section is discretionary with the court and a determination that the juvenile is or is not competent to proceed may be based on any one (1) or a combination of such factors, which shall be recited in the court’s order regarding competency.
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Terms Used In Idaho Code 20-519B

  • Court: means any district court within the state of Idaho or magistrate division thereof. See Idaho Code 20-502
  • Department: means the state department of juvenile corrections. See Idaho Code 20-502
  • Detention: means the temporary placement of juvenile offenders who require secure custody for their own or the community’s protection in physically restricting facilities. See Idaho Code 20-502
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Juvenile: means a person less than eighteen (18) years of age or who was less than eighteen (18) years of age at the time of any alleged act, omission or status. See Idaho Code 20-502
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Screening: means a brief process, typically using a validated tool to identify juveniles who warrant immediate attention, intervention, or a more comprehensive assessment. See Idaho Code 20-502
(3)  If neither the prosecuting attorney nor counsel for the juvenile contests the findings of the report of the examiner or evaluation committee, the court may make the determination on the basis of such report. If a party contests the findings of such report, they shall have the right to cross-examine the qualified psychiatrist or licensed psychologist who prepared and submitted the report and to offer evidence upon this issue. A finding of incompetency shall be based upon a preponderance of the evidence.
(4)  If the court finds the juvenile is competent to proceed, the proceedings shall continue without delay.
(5)  If the court initially finds that the juvenile is incompetent and there is not a substantial probability that the juvenile will be restored to competency within six (6) months, the court may stay or dismiss the matter. In determining whether to stay or dismiss the matter, the court shall consider all relevant factors including, but not limited to, the seriousness of the alleged offense, resources available to the juvenile and any issues of public safety. Prior to a stay or dismissal of the matter, the court may convene a screening team consisting of representatives from the department of health and welfare, county probation, local school officials, and/or other agencies or persons designated by the court to develop a treatment plan for the juvenile. In developing such treatment plan, the recommendations contained in the competency examination shall be considered to ensure necessary services for the juvenile are put into place. Parents and guardians of the juvenile, if available, shall be included in the screening team and consulted with regard to the plan of treatment. If appropriate, the court may hold a hearing to determine whether proceedings under chapter 24, title 16, or chapter 3 or 4, title 66, Idaho Code, should be instituted. If such proceedings are initiated, the juvenile court may retain jurisdiction over said proceedings.
(6)  If the court determines that the juvenile is incompetent to proceed, but may be restored to competency within six (6) months, the court shall order a plan of treatment to be developed by the department of health and welfare for the juvenile to undergo efforts at restoration to competency. The court may:
(a)  Convene a restoration treatment team to make recommendations on a plan of treatment;
(b)  Order any agencies that have treated or had custody of the juvenile to release any pertinent information or records to the department of health and welfare to be used in the development and implementation of the juvenile’s restoration plan;
(c)  Order the department of health and welfare, county probation, school officials and the department of juvenile corrections to release all pertinent information regarding the juvenile to the court, the department of health and welfare and any restoration treatment team to be used in the development and implementation of the juvenile’s restoration plan;
(d)  Require the parents or guardians of the juvenile, and where appropriate require the juvenile, to allow information pertinent to the restoration treatment plan be released to the department of health and welfare, the court and any restoration treatment team.
(7)  If the court determines that the juvenile is incompetent to proceed, but may be restored to competency, the court may order a juvenile to participate in the competency restoration program as developed by the department of health and welfare. The purpose of the treatment or training is the restoration of the juvenile’s competency to proceed. In determining the type and location of the competency restoration program and in designating a restoration provider, the department of health and welfare shall identify the least restrictive alternative that is consistent with public safety and consider whether inpatient treatment, residential care or secure confinement is necessary for program participation.
(a)  An inpatient or residential or secure detention facility is only appropriate if all available less restrictive alternatives in community settings which would offer an opportunity for improvement of the juvenile’s condition are inappropriate. If the department of health and welfare’s plan of restoration requires the juvenile be placed in an inpatient, residential or secure detention facility, the court shall hold a hearing on whether to order such placement unless the hearing is waived by the juvenile and the juvenile’s parents or guardians. Juveniles charged with only a status offense or multiple status offenses shall not be held in a secure confinement or detention facility for restoration purposes.
(b)  The department of health and welfare is responsible for determining the competency restoration program and services. All costs associated with restoration services shall be the responsibility of the parents of the juvenile according to their ability to pay based upon the sliding fee scale established pursuant to section 16-2433, Idaho Code. The financial obligation of the parents shall be determined after consideration of all available payment and funding sources including title XIX of the social security act, as amended, all available third party sources including funding available to the juvenile from other programs, grants or agencies and parent resources according to any order for child support under chapter 10, title 32, Idaho Code. Services shall not be conditioned upon transfer of custody of parental rights.
(8)  If a juvenile is determined to be incompetent to proceed but may be restored to competency, the court shall retain jurisdiction of the juvenile for up to six (6) months. A restoration order issued pursuant to this section is valid for six (6) months from the date of the initial finding of incompetency or until one (1) of the following, whichever occurs first:
(a)  The restoration program submits a report that the juvenile has become competent to proceed or that there is no substantial probability that the juvenile will regain competency within the period the order is valid;
(b)  The charges are dismissed; or
(c)  The juvenile reaches twenty-one (21) years of age.
(9)  The court may extend the restoration order beyond six (6) months upon a showing of good cause. If the juvenile reaches twenty-one (21) years of age, the matter shall be dismissed. If the court concludes that there is no substantial probability that the juvenile will regain competency within the period the order is valid, then the provisions of subsection (5) of this section shall apply.