C.R.S. Section 18-1.3-1404
Mental incompetency to be executed

  • examination

(1)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

On receipt of a motion filed pursuant to section 18-1.3-1403, the district court shall determine whether the motion is timely, as prescribed by section 18-1.3-1405, and whether it presents reasonable grounds for ordering an examination. Prior to making any determinations, the district court shall ensure that the prosecution has an opportunity to respond to the motion and to submit any additional information for consideration. The district court shall also provide an opportunity for the executive director of the department of corrections, the convicted person’s attorney, or an attorney for the state to respond to the motion and to submit additional information for consideration. All responses and additional submissions shall be filed with the court within three days following the filing of the motion. Within seven days following the filing of the motion, the district court shall determine whether there are reasonable grounds for ordering the examination, based on the motion and any supporting information, any information submitted by the prosecuting attorney or any other responding party, and the record in the case, including transcripts of previous hearings and orders.

(b)

The district court shall issue a stay of execution upon a showing of reasonable grounds for granting the stay. A stay of execution may be requested only by the convicted person’s attorney, the executive director of the department of corrections, or an attorney for the state.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

If the court finds there are no reasonable grounds for the requested examination, the court shall dismiss the motion. If the court finds the motion is timely and there are reasonable grounds for ordering an examination, the court may order the convicted person to submit to physical, neurological, psychiatric, psychological, or other examinations or evaluations that are reasonably necessary to adequately determine whether the convicted person is mentally incompetent to be executed.

(b)

The Colorado mental health institute shall create and maintain a list of licensed, qualified psychiatrists and psychologists who shall be available to perform the examinations required pursuant to this part 14.

(c)

If the court determines an examination is necessary, the court shall appoint one or more licensed psychiatrists to observe and examine the convicted person. In making such appointment, the court may select one or more licensed psychiatrists from the list prepared by the Colorado mental health institute pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (2) or appoint another qualified, licensed psychiatrist. If requested in the motion for competency examination or by motion of the executive director of the department of corrections, the prosecution, or the attorney for the convicted person or by request of the appointed psychiatrist, and for good cause shown, the court may order further examinations, including the services of licensed psychologists, licensed physicians, or psychiatrists. All examinations shall be completed and reports filed with the court within thirty-five days following the court’s initial appointment of experts.

(3)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Any examination ordered pursuant to this section shall be conducted at a department of corrections facility.

(b)

At the time of appointment of experts, the parties shall disclose to the appointed experts and to each other the names and addresses of any other previously undisclosed mental health experts who have examined the convicted person and the results of the examinations, as well as any and all records of any other previously undisclosed mental health examinations, treatment, or reports that are not privileged. If the party has any question regarding whether any such records are privileged, the records shall be submitted to the court ex parte and the court shall make a determination as to release of the record. The appointed experts shall make copies of their reports available to all of the parties at the time of filing the reports with the court. The experts’ reports shall indicate whether the convicted person has a mental disease or defect which renders the convicted person mentally incompetent to be executed.

(4)

The convicted person shall submit to and cooperate in all examinations or evaluations ordered by the court, regardless of which party selects the examining mental health expert. The district court shall consider any relevant evidence concerning the issue of the convicted person’s competency to be executed, including but not limited to the convicted person’s refusal to be examined or evaluated.

(5)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

After the examinations are completed and reports are filed, the court shall conduct a hearing within seven days following the court’s receipt of all reports from appointed experts. The hearing shall be limited to the sole issue of whether the convicted person is mentally incompetent to be executed. At the hearing, all parties may present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and present argument or, by stipulation, may submit the matter for the court’s determination on the basis of the experts’ reports or other evidence.

(b)

The Colorado rules of evidence shall apply to each hearing held pursuant to this section. The transcript of the hearing shall be forwarded to the Colorado supreme court within three days following the conclusion of the hearing.

(6)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Within three days following the conclusion of the hearing held pursuant to subsection (5) of this section, the district court, either on the record or by written ruling, shall specifically state its findings on the motion raising the issue of whether the convicted person is mentally incompetent to be executed. If the ruling is in written form, it shall be transmitted by facsimile or electronic mail to all parties and the Colorado supreme court on the same day of its issuance.

(b)

If the court finds the convicted person is not mentally incompetent to be executed, the court shall immediately remand the convicted person to the custody of the executive director of the department of corrections who shall execute the judgment as specified in the warrant issued pursuant to section 18-1.3-1205. If the week specified in the warrant has passed, the district court shall issue a new warrant designating a week of time within which the sentence shall be executed.

(c)

If the court finds the convicted person is mentally incompetent to be executed, the court shall stay the execution and shall immediately transmit a copy of its order to the Colorado supreme court.

(7)

The time frames specified in this section shall apply only if the motion filed pursuant to section 18-1.3-1403 is filed within one hundred nineteen days prior to the convicted person’s execution date. In all other cases, the court shall establish time frames for filing of responses and additional submissions and for completion of the examinations and shall hear and rule on the motion as expeditiously as possible.

Source: Section 18-1.3-1404 — Mental incompetency to be executed - examination, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-18.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

18‑1.3‑101
Pretrial diversion - appropriation - repeal 18‑1.3‑102
Deferred sentencing of defendant 18‑1.3‑103.4
Senate Bill 13-250 - legislative intent - clarification of internal reference to level 4 drug felonies 18‑1.3‑103.5
Felony convictions - vacate and enter conviction on misdemeanor after successful completion 18‑1.3‑103.7
Alternative options for pregnant and postpartum people - legislative declaration - definitions 18‑1.3‑104
Alternatives in imposition of sentence 18‑1.3‑104.5
Alternatives in imposition of sentence in drug felony cases - exhaustion of remedies 18‑1.3‑105
Authority of sentencing courts to utilize home detention programs 18‑1.3‑106
County jail sentencing alternatives - work, educational, and medical release - home detention - day reporting - definition 18‑1.3‑107
Conviction - collateral relief - applicability - definitions 18‑1.3‑201
Application for probation 18‑1.3‑202
Probationary power of court 18‑1.3‑202.5
Veterans court probation supervision 18‑1.3‑203
Criteria for granting probation 18‑1.3‑204
Conditions of probation - interstate compact probation transfer cash fund - creation 18‑1.3‑205
Restitution as a condition of probation 18‑1.3‑206
Repayment of crime stopper reward as a condition of probation 18‑1.3‑207
Work and education release programs 18‑1.3‑208
Intensive supervision probation programs - legislative declaration 18‑1.3‑209
Substance abuse assessment required 18‑1.3‑210
Counseling or treatment for alcohol or drug abuse or substance use disorder 18‑1.3‑211
Sentencing of felons - parole of felons - treatment and testing based upon assessment required 18‑1.3‑212
Drug testing of offenders by judicial department - pilot program 18‑1.3‑301
Authority to place offenders in community corrections programs 18‑1.3‑302
Legislative declaration - offenders who may be sentenced to the specialized restitution and community service program 18‑1.3‑401
Felonies classified - presumptive penalties 18‑1.3‑401.5
Drug felonies classified - presumptive and aggravated penalties - legislative intent 18‑1.3‑402
Felony offenses not classified 18‑1.3‑403
Penalty for felony not fixed by statute - punishment 18‑1.3‑404
Duration of sentences for felonies 18‑1.3‑405
Credit for presentence confinement 18‑1.3‑406
Mandatory sentences for violent crimes - definitions 18‑1.3‑407
Sentences - youthful offenders - powers and duties of district court - authorization for youthful offender system - powers and duties of department of corrections - youthful offender system study - report - legislative declaration - definitions 18‑1.3‑407.5
Sentences - young adult offenders - youthful offender system - definitions 18‑1.3‑408
Determinate sentence of imprisonment imposed by court 18‑1.3‑409
Concurrent or consecutive sentences - court to clarify sentencing in mittimus 18‑1.3‑410
Fentanyl education and treatment program 18‑1.3‑501
Misdemeanors classified - drug misdemeanors and drug petty offenses classified - penalties - legislative intent - definitions 18‑1.3‑502
Duration of sentences for misdemeanors 18‑1.3‑503
Petty offense and civil infraction classified - penalties 18‑1.3‑504
Misdemeanors and petty offenses not classified 18‑1.3‑505
Penalty for misdemeanor not fixed by statute - punishment 18‑1.3‑506
Payment and collection of fines for class 1 or 2 misdemeanors, petty offenses, and civil infractions - release from incarceration 18‑1.3‑507
Community or useful public service - misdemeanors 18‑1.3‑507.5
Useful public service cash fund created 18‑1.3‑508
Definite sentence not void 18‑1.3‑509
Credit for time served on misdemeanor sentences 18‑1.3‑510
Fentanyl education and treatment program 18‑1.3‑601
Legislative declaration 18‑1.3‑602
Definitions 18‑1.3‑603
Assessment of restitution - corrective orders 18‑1.3‑701
Judgment of costs and fines - definitions 18‑1.3‑702
Monetary payments - due process required 18‑1.3‑703
Reimbursement of amounts paid following a vacated conviction or amended order for restitution - petition 18‑1.3‑704
Outstanding balances owed by juveniles - report - repeal 18‑1.3‑801
Punishment for habitual criminals 18‑1.3‑802
Evidence of former convictions - identity 18‑1.3‑803
Verdict of jury 18‑1.3‑804
Habitual burglary offenders - punishment - legislative declaration 18‑1.3‑901
Short title 18‑1.3‑902
Applicability of part 18‑1.3‑903
Definitions 18‑1.3‑904
Indeterminate commitment 18‑1.3‑905
Requirements before acceptance of a plea of guilty 18‑1.3‑906
Commencement of proceedings 18‑1.3‑907
Defendant to be advised of rights 18‑1.3‑908
Psychiatric examination and report 18‑1.3‑909
Report of probation department 18‑1.3‑910
Termination of proceedings 18‑1.3‑911
Evidentiary hearing 18‑1.3‑912
Findings of fact and conclusions of law 18‑1.3‑913
Appeal 18‑1.3‑914
Time allowed on sentence 18‑1.3‑915
Costs 18‑1.3‑916
Diagnostic center as receiving center 18‑1.3‑1001
Legislative declaration 18‑1.3‑1002
Short title 18‑1.3‑1003
Definitions 18‑1.3‑1004
Indeterminate sentence 18‑1.3‑1005
Parole - intensive supervision program 18‑1.3‑1006
Release from incarceration - parole - conditions 18‑1.3‑1007
Probation - intensive supervision program 18‑1.3‑1008
Probation - conditions - release 18‑1.3‑1009
Criteria for release from incarceration, reduction in supervision, and discharge 18‑1.3‑1010
Arrest of parolee or probationer - revocation 18‑1.3‑1011
Annual report 18‑1.3‑1012
Applicability of part 18‑1.3‑1101
Definitions 18‑1.3‑1102
Pretrial motion by defendant in class 1 felony case - determination whether defendant is mentally retarded or has an intellectual and developmental disability - procedure 18‑1.3‑1103
Mentally retarded defendant or defendant with an intellectual and developmental disability - death penalty not imposed 18‑1.3‑1104
Evaluation and report 18‑1.3‑1105
Evaluation at insistence of defendant 18‑1.3‑1201
Imposition of sentence in class 1 felonies - appellate review - applicability 18‑1.3‑1202
Death penalty inflicted by lethal injection 18‑1.3‑1203
Genetic testing prior to execution 18‑1.3‑1204
Implements - sentence executed by executive director 18‑1.3‑1205
Week of execution - warrant 18‑1.3‑1206
Execution - witnesses 18‑1.3‑1207
Record and certificate of execution 18‑1.3‑1301
Applicability of procedure for the imposition of sentences in class 1 felony cases 18‑1.3‑1302
Imposition of sentences in class 1 felonies for crimes committed on or after July 1, 1988, and prior to September 20, 1991 - appellate review - applicability 18‑1.3‑1401
Definitions 18‑1.3‑1402
Mental competency to be executed - presumptions 18‑1.3‑1403
Mental incompetency to be executed - filing of motion 18‑1.3‑1404
Mental incompetency to be executed - examination 18‑1.3‑1405
Mentally incompetent to be executed - untimely or successive motions 18‑1.3‑1406
Persons mentally incompetent to be executed - restoration to competency 18‑1.3‑1407
Appeal of determination of mental incompetency to be executed
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Current through Fall 2024

§ 18-1.3-1404’s source at colorado​.gov