North Dakota Code 12.1-04-08 – Suspension or dismissal of proceedings – Referral for services
1. If the court determines based upon a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant currently lacks fitness to proceed and the defendant is charged with a class B misdemeanor, except a class B misdemeanor under chapter 12.1-17, the proceedings must be dismissed.
Attorney's Note
Under the North Dakota Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 360 days | up to $3,000 |
| Class B misdemeanor | up to 30 days | up to $1,500 |
Terms Used In North Dakota Code 12.1-04-08
- action: means a bodily movement, whether voluntary or involuntary. See North Dakota Code 12.1-01-04
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Court: means any of the following courts: the supreme court, a district court, and where relevant, a municipal court. See North Dakota Code 12.1-01-04
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- 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.
- following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute means the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Individual: means a human being. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
- 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.
- Offense: means conduct for which a term of imprisonment or a fine is authorized by statute after conviction. See North Dakota Code 12.1-01-04
- person: includes , where relevant, a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. See North Dakota Code 12.1-01-04
- State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- written: include "typewriting" and "typewritten" and "printing" and "printed" except in the case of signatures and when the words are used by way of contrast to typewriting and printing. See North Dakota Code 1-01-37
2. If the court determines based upon a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant currently lacks fitness to proceed, the defendant is charged with a felony or a class A misdemeanor, and the report as required under section 12.1-04-07 indicates a likelihood the defendant will attain fitness within a specified period of time from the date of the finding upon completion of a course of therapeutically appropriate treatment, the proceedings against the defendant must be suspended for a period of up to one hundred eighty days. The court may extend the suspension for an additional three hundred sixty-five days if there is medical evidence to believe the defendant’s fitness to proceed will be restored during the extended period. For a defendant charged with a class B misdemeanor under chapter 12.1-17, the proceedings must be suspended for a period no longer than the maximum term of imprisonment for the most serious offense charged. When the court determines, after a hearing if a hearing is requested, that the defendant has regained fitness to proceed, the proceeding must be resumed. If prosecution of the defendant has not resumed or it is determined by the court, after a hearing if a hearing is requested, that the defendant will not regain fitness to proceed within the allotted time, the charges against the defendant must be dismissed.
3. If the court determines based upon a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant currently lacks fitness to proceed and that the defendant will not attain fitness to proceed, the proceedings must be dismissed. The court may at any time make a referral for other appropriate services. Other appropriate services include:
a. Determination of incapacity, by a district court with appropriate jurisdiction following petition by the state‘s attorney, for the appointment of a guardian or conservator pursuant to chapter 30.1-28 or 30.1-29; b. Civil commitment of the person pursuant to chapter 25-03.1; or c. Any other services the court deems appropriate.
4. If the court determines the defendant currently lacks fitness to proceed and the defendant may attain fitness to proceed under subsection 1, the court may enter an order for a course of treatment considering the least restrictive form of treatment therapeutically appropriate.
a. Unless excused by the court, in a proceeding to determine therapy in an attempt to attain fitness, the defendant shall be represented by trial counsel.
b. If the court finds the individual is not able to retain the services of a tier 1a mental health professional and that those services are not otherwise available, the court shall authorize reasonable expenditures from public funds to examine the individual.
c. In a motion hearing to resume prosecution, the state or prosecuting authority must show by a preponderance of the evidence the defendant has attained fitness to proceed.
5. If the court orders the defendant committed to a treatment facility in an attempt to attain fitness to proceed under subsection 1, the court shall provide the special custody and commitment terms in the order. The special terms of commitment must include an order for the defendant to accept all nonexperimental, generally accepted medical, psychiatric, or psychological treatment recommended by the treatment facility, including the use of involuntary treatment with prescribed medication without the need for a separate commitment under chapter 25-03.1.
a. If the order does not indicate the terms of commitment, the director or superintendent of the treatment facility may determine the nature of the constraints necessary within the treatment facility to carry out the order of the court.
b. If the court orders an individual committed for therapeutic treatment to attain fitness to proceed, the court shall set a date consistent with the timeline established in this section for a review of the defendant’s fitness to proceed. At least sixty days before the date specified for review, the director or director’s designee or the superintendent of the treatment facility shall inquire as to whether the individual is represented by counsel and file a written report of the facts ascertained with the court.
6. If the parties to the action have reason to modify the special terms of the commitment order under this section, the parties shall make a motion to the court and the court shall determine by a preponderance of the evidence if the modification of the special terms is necessary and the least restrictive therapeutic alternative therapy in an attempt to attain fitness to proceed.
7. The custodian, guardian, or other person charged with the control of the defendant may take an appeal from the court’s order in the manner provided by law.