GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1991 SESSION
CHAPTER 37
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1. G.S. 15A-1321 reads as rewritten:
"§
15A-1321. Civil Automatic civil commitment of defendants
found not guilty by reason of insanity.
When a defendant charged with a crime is found not guilty by
reason of insanity by jury verdict or upon motion pursuant to G.S.
15A-959(c), the presiding judge shall enter an order finding that the
defendant has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of a crime and
committing the defendant to a State 24-hour facility designated pursuant to
G.S. 122C-252. The court order shall also grant custody of the defendant to a law
enforcement officer who shall take the defendant directly to that facility. upon
such additional hearing, if any, as he determines to be necessary, shall
determine whether there are reasonable grounds to believe the defendant meets
the criteria for involuntary commitment under Part 7 of Article 5 of Chapter
122C of the General Statutes. If the presiding judge finds reasonable grounds
to believe that the defendant meets the criteria, he shall make findings of
fact and issue a custody order in the same manner, upon the same grounds, and
with the same effect, as an order issued by a clerk or magistrate pursuant to
G.S. 122C-261. Proceedings thereafter are in accordance with Part 7 of
Article 5 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes. However, if the defendant
was charged with a violent crime, including a crime involving assault with a
deadly weapon, the judge's custody order shall require a law-enforcement
officer to take the defendant directly to a 24-hour facility as described in
G.S. 122C-252; and the order must indicate that the defendant was charged with
a violent crime and that he was found not guilty by reason of insanity."
Sec. 2. Part 7 of Article 5 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 122C-268.1. Inpatient commitment; hearing following automatic commitment.
(a) A respondent who is committed pursuant to G.S. 15A-1321 shall be provided a hearing, unless waived, before the expiration of 50 days from the date of his commitment.
(b) The district attorney in the county in which the respondent was found not guilty by reason of insanity may represent the State's interest at the hearing. If the district attorney declines to represent the State's interest, then the representation shall be determined as follows. An attorney, who is a member of the staff of the Attorney General assigned to one of the State's facilities for the mentally ill or the psychiatric service of the University of North Carolina Hospitals at Chapel Hill, may represent the State's interest at commitment hearings, rehearings, and supplemental hearings. Alternatively, the Attorney General may, in his discretion, designate an attorney who is a member of his staff to represent the State's interest at any commitment hearing, rehearing, or supplemental hearing.
(c) The clerk shall give notice of the time and place of the hearing as provided in G.S. 122C-264(d1).
(d) The respondent shall be represented by counsel of his choice, or if he is indigent within the meaning of G.S. 7A-450 or refuses to retain counsel if financially able to do so, he shall be represented by counsel appointed by the court.
(e) With the consent of the court, counsel may in writing waive the presence of the respondent.
(f) Certified copies of reports and findings of physicians and psychologists and previous and current medical records are admissible in evidence, but the respondent's right to confront and cross-examine witnesses may not be denied.
(g) The hearing shall take place in the trial division in which the original trial was held. The hearing shall be open to the public. For purposes of this subsection, 'trial division' means either the superior court division or the district court division of the General Court of Justice.
(h) A copy of all documents admitted into evidence and a transcript of the proceedings shall be furnished to the respondent on request by the clerk upon the direction of the presiding judge. If the respondent is indigent, the copies shall be provided at State expense.
(i) The respondent shall bear the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he is no longer dangerous to others. If the court is so satisfied, then the respondent shall bear the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence (i) that he does not have a mental illness, or (ii) that confinement is not necessary to ensure his own survival or safety and that confinement is not necessary to alleviate or cure his illness. If the court is so satisfied, then the court shall order the respondent discharged and released. If the court finds that the respondent has not met his burdens of proof, then the court shall order that inpatient commitment continue at a 24-hour facility designated pursuant to G.S. 122C-252 for a period not to exceed 90 days.
(j) Nothing in this section shall limit the respondent's right to habeas corpus relief."
Sec. 3. Part 7 of Article 5 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 122C-276.1. Inpatient commitment; rehearings for respondents who are insanity acquittees.
(a) At least 15 days before the end of any inpatient commitment period ordered pursuant to G.S. 122C-268.1, the clerk shall calendar the hearing and notify the parties as specified in G.S. 122C-264(d1), unless the hearing is waived by the respondent.
(b) The proceedings of the rehearing shall be governed by the same procedures provided by G.S. 122C-268.1.
(c) The respondent shall bear the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he is no longer dangerous to others. If the court is so satisfied, then the respondent shall bear the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence (i) that he does not have a mental illness, or (ii) that confinement is not necessary to ensure his own survival or safety and that confinement is not necessary to alleviate or cure his illness. If the court is so satisfied, then the court shall order the respondent discharged and released. If the court finds that the respondent has not met his burdens of proof, then the court shall order inpatient commitment be continued for a period not to exceed 180 days.
(d) At least 15 days before the end of any commitment period ordered pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and annually thereafter, the clerk shall calendar the hearing and notify the parties as specified in G.S. 122C-264(d1). The procedures and standards for the rehearing are the same as under this section. No third or subsequent inpatient recommitment order shall be for a period longer than one year."
Sec. 4. G.S. 122C-264 reads as rewritten:
"§ 122C-264. Duties of clerk of superior court and the district attorney.
(a) Upon receipt of a physician's or eligible psychologist's finding that the respondent meets the criteria of G.S. 122C-263(d)(1) and that outpatient commitment is recommended, the clerk of superior court of the county where the petition was initiated, upon direction of a district court judge, shall calendar the matter for hearing and shall notify the respondent, the proposed outpatient treatment physician or center, and the petitioner of the time and place of the hearing. The petitioner may file a written waiver of his right to notice under this subsection with the clerk of court.
(b) Upon receipt of a physician's or eligible psychologist's finding that a respondent meets the criteria of G.S. 122C-263(d)(2) and that inpatient commitment is recommended, the clerk of superior court of the county where the 24-hour facility is located shall, after determination required by G.S. 122C-261(c) and upon direction of a district court judge, assign counsel if necessary, calendar the matter for hearing, and notify the respondent, his counsel, and the petitioner of the time and place of the hearing. The petitioner may file a written waiver of his right to notice under this subsection with the clerk of court.
(b1) Upon receipt of a physician's or eligible psychologist's certificate that a respondent meets the criteria of G.S. 122C-261(a) and that immediate hospitalization is needed, the clerk of superior court of the county where the 24-hour facility is located shall submit the certificate to the Chief District Court Judge. The court shall review the certificate within 24 hours (excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays) for a finding of reasonable grounds in accordance with 122C-261(b). The clerk shall notify the 24-hour facility of the court's findings by telephone and shall proceed as set forth in (b), (c) and (f) of this section.
(c) Notice to the respondent, required by subsections (a) and (b) of this section, shall be given as provided in G.S. 1A-1, Rule 4(j) at least 72 hours before the hearing. Notice to other individuals shall be sent at least 72 hours before the hearing by first-class mail postage prepaid to the individual's last known address. G.S. 1A-1, Rule 6 shall not apply.
(d) In cases described in
G.S. 122C-266(b) in addition to notice required in subsections (a) and (b) of
this section, the clerk of superior court shall notify the chief district judge
and the district attorney in the county in which the defendant was found not
guilty by reason of insanity or incapable of proceeding. The notice shall
be given in the same way as the notice required by subsection (c) of this
section. The judge or the district attorney may file a written waiver of his
right to notice under this subsection with the clerk of court.
(d1) For hearings and rehearings pursuant to G.S. 122C-268.1 and G.S. 122C-276.1, the clerk of superior court shall calendar the hearing or rehearing and shall notify the respondent, his counsel, counsel for the State, and the district attorney involved in the original trial. The notice shall be given in the same manner as the notice required by subsection (c) of this section. Upon receipt of the notice, the district attorney shall notify any persons he deems appropriate, including anyone who has filed with his office a written request for notification of any hearing or rehearing concerning discharge or conditional release of a respondent. Notice sent by the district attorney shall be by first-class mail to the person's last known address.
(e) The clerk of superior court of the county where outpatient commitment is to be supervised shall keep a separate list regarding outpatient commitment and shall prepare quarterly reports listing all active cases, the assigned supervisor, and the disposition of all hearings, supplemental hearings, and rehearings.
(f) The clerk of superior court of the county where inpatient commitment hearings and rehearings are held shall provide all notices, send all records and maintain a record of all proceedings as required by this Part; provided that if the respondent has been committed to a 24-hour facility in a county other than his county of residence and the district court hearing is held in the county of the facility, the clerk of superior court in the county of the facility shall forward the record of the proceedings to the clerk of superior court in the county of respondent's residence, where they shall be maintained by receiving clerk."
Sec. 5. G.S. 122C-276 reads as rewritten:
"§ 122C-276. Inpatient commitment; rehearings for respondents other than insanity acquittees.
(a) Fifteen days before
the end of the initial inpatient commitment period if the attending physician
determines that commitment of a respondent beyond the initial period will be
necessary, he shall so notify the clerk of superior court of the county in
which the facility is located. The clerk, at least 10 days before the end of
the initial period, on order of a district court judge of the district court
district as defined in G.S. 7A-133 in which the facility is located, shall
calendar the rehearing. If the respondent was initially committed as the result
of conduct resulting in his being charged with a violent crime, including a
crime involving an assault with a deadly weapon, and respondent was found not
guilty by reason of insanity or incapable of proceeding, the clerk shall
also notify the chief district court judge, the clerk of superior court, and
the district attorney in the county in which the respondent was found not
guilty by reason of insanity or incapable of proceeding of the time and
place of the hearing.
(b) Fifteen days before
the end of the initial treatment period of a respondent who was initially
committed as a result of conduct resulting in his being charged with a violent
crime, including a crime involving an assault with a deadly weapon, having been
found not guilty by reason of insanity or incapable of proceeding, if
the attending physician determines that commitment of the respondent beyond the
initial period will not be necessary, he shall so notify the clerk of superior
court who shall schedule a rehearing as provided in subsection (a) of this
section.
(c) Subject to the provisions of G.S. 122C-269(c), rehearings shall be held at the facility in which the respondent is receiving treatment. The judge is a judge of the district court of the district court district as defined in G.S. 7A-133 in which the facility is located or a district court judge temporarily assigned to that district.
(d) Notice and proceedings of rehearings are governed by the same procedures as initial hearings and the respondent has the same rights he had at the initial hearing including the right to appeal.
(e) At rehearings the court may make the same dispositions authorized in G.S. 122C-271(b) except a second commitment order may be for an additional period not in excess of 180 days.
(f) Fifteen days before the end of the second commitment period and annually thereafter, the attending physician shall review and evaluate the condition of each respondent; and if he determines that a respondent is in continued need of inpatient commitment or, in the alternative, in need of outpatient commitment, or a combination of both, he shall so notify the respondent, his counsel, and the clerk of superior court of the county, in which the facility is located. Unless the respondent through his counsel files with the clerk a written waiver of his right to a rehearing, the clerk, on order of a district court judge of the district in which the facility is located, shall calendar a rehearing for not later than the end of the current commitment period. The procedures and standards for the rehearing are the same as for the first rehearing. No third or subsequent inpatient recommitment order shall be for a period longer than one year.
(g) At any rehearings the court has the option to order outpatient commitment for a period not in excess of 180 days in accordance with the criteria specified in G.S. 122C-263(d)(1) and following the procedures as specified in this Article."
Sec. 6. G.S. 122C-277 reads as rewritten:
"§ 122C-277. Release and conditional release; judicial review.
(a) Except as provided in
subsection subsections (b) and (b1) of this section, the
attending physician shall discharge a committed respondent unconditionally at
any time he determines that the respondent is no longer in need of inpatient
commitment. However, if the attending physician determines that the respondent
meets the criteria for outpatient commitment as defined in G.S. 122C-263(d)(1),
he may request the clerk to calendar a supplemental hearing to determine
whether an outpatient commitment order shall be issued. Except as provided in subsection
subsections (b) and (b1) of this section, the attending
physician may also release a respondent conditionally for periods not in excess
of 30 days on specified medically appropriate conditions. Violation of the
conditions is grounds for return of the respondent to the releasing facility. A
law-enforcement officer, on request of the attending physician, shall take a
conditional releasee into custody and return him to the facility in accordance
with G.S. 122C-205. Notice of discharge and of conditional release shall be
furnished to the clerk of superior court of the county of commitment and of the
county in which the facility is located.
(b) If the respondent was
initially committed as the result of conduct resulting in his being charged
with a violent crime, including a crime involving an assault with a deadly
weapon, and respondent was found not guilty by reason of insanity or incapable
of proceeding, 15 days before the respondent's discharge or conditional release
the attending physician shall notify the clerk of superior court of the county
in which the facility is located of his determination regarding the proposed
discharge or conditional release. The clerk shall then schedule a rehearing to
determine the appropriateness of respondent's release under the standards of
commitment set forth in G.S. 122C-271(b). The clerk shall give notice as
provided in G.S. 122C-264(d). The district attorney of the district where
respondent was found not guilty by reason of insanity or incapable of
proceeding may represent the State's interest at the hearing.
(b1) If the respondent was initially committed pursuant to G.S. 15A-1321, 15 days before the respondent's discharge or conditional release the attending physician shall notify the clerk of superior court. The clerk shall calendar a hearing and shall give notice as provided by G.S. 122C-264(d1). The district attorney for the original trial may represent the State's interest at the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted under the standards and procedures set forth in G.S. 122C-268.1. Provided, that in no event shall discharge or conditional release under this section be allowed for a respondent during the period from automatic commitment to hearing under G.S. 122C-268.1.
(c) If a committed
respondent under either subsection (a) or (b) subsections (a), (b),
or (b1) of this section is from a single portal area, the attending
physician shall plan jointly with the area authority as prescribed in the area
plan before discharging or releasing the respondent."
Sec. 7. G.S. 122C-261(e) reads as rewritten:
"(e) Upon receipt of the
custody order of the clerk or magistrate or a custody order issued by the court
pursuant to G.S. 15A-1003 or G.S. 15A-1321, a law-enforcement officer or
other person designated in the order shall take the respondent into custody
within 24 hours after the order is signed, and proceed according to G.S.
122C-263."
Sec. 8. G.S. 122C-263(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b) The examination set forth in subsection (a) of this section is not required if:
(1) The affiant who obtained the custody order is a physician or eligible psychologist who recommends inpatient commitment;
(2) The custody order
states that the respondent was charged with a violent crime, including a crime
involving assault with a deadly weapon, and he was found not guilty by
reason of insanity or incapable of proceeding; or
(3) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 596, s. 3.
In any of these cases, the law-enforcement officer shall take the respondent directly to a 24-hour facility described in G.S. 122C-252."
Sec. 9. G.S. 122C-266(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b) If the custody order
states that the respondent was charged with a violent crime, including a crime
involving assault with a deadly weapon, and that he was found not guilty by
reason of insanity or incapable of proceeding, the physician shall examine
him as set forth in subsection (a) of this section. However, the physician may
not release him from the facility until ordered to do so following the district
court hearing."
Sec. 10. G.S. 122C-268(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c) If the respondent's
custody order indicates that he was charged with a violent crime, including a
crime involving an assault with a deadly weapon, and that he was found not
guilty by reason of insanity or incapable of proceeding, the clerk shall
give notice of the time and place of the hearing as provided in G.S.
122C-264(d). The district attorney in the county in which the respondent was
found not guilty by reason of insanity or incapable of proceeding may
represent the State's interest at the hearing."
Sec. 11. G.S. 122C-269(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a) In all cases where
the respondent is held at a 24-hour facility pending the district
court hearing as provided in G.S. 122C-268, G.S. 122C-268.1,
122C-276.1, or 122C-277(b1), unless the respondent through counsel objects
to the venue, the hearing shall be held in the county in which the facility is
located. Upon objection to venue, the hearing shall be held in the county where
the petition was initiated, except as otherwise provided in subsection (c)
of this section."
Sec. 12. G.S. 122C-269(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c) Upon motion of any
interested person, the venue of an initial hearing described in G.S.
122C-268(c) or G.S. 122C-268.1 or a rehearing required by G.S.
122C-276(b) , G.S. 122C-276.1, or G.S. 122C-277(b) subsections
(b) or (b1) of G.S. 122C-277 shall be moved to the county in which the
respondent was found not guilty by reason of insanity or incapable of
proceeding when the convenience of witnesses and the ends of justice would be
promoted by the change."
Sec. 13. G.S. 122C-271(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b) If the respondent has been held in a 24-hour facility pending the district court hearing pursuant to G.S. 122C-268, the court may make one of the following dispositions:
(1) If the court finds by
clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that the respondent is mentally ill;
that he is capable of surviving safely in the community with available
supervision from family, friends, or others; that based on respondent's
psychiatric history, the respondent is in need of treatment in order to prevent
further disability or deterioration that would predictably result in
dangerousness as defined by G.S. 122C-3(11); and that the respondent's current
mental status or the nature of his illness limits or negates his ability to
make an informed decision voluntarily to seek or comply with recommended
treatment, it may order outpatient commitment for a period not in excess of 90
days. If the commitment proceedings were initiated as the result of the
respondent's being charged with a violent crime, including a crime involving an
assault with a deadly weapon, and the respondent was found not guilty by
reason of insanity or incapable of proceeding, the commitment order shall
so show.
(2) If the court finds by
clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that the respondent is mentally ill and
is dangerous to himself, as defined in G.S. 122C-3(11)a., or others, as defined
in G.S. 122C-3(11)b., or is mentally retarded and, because of an accompanying
behavior disorder, is dangerous to others, as defined in G.S. 122C-3(11)b., it
may order inpatient commitment at a 24-hour facility described in G.S. 122C-252
for a period not in excess of 90 days. However, an individual who is
mentally retarded and, because of an accompanying behavior disorder, is
dangerous to others, as defined in G.S. 122C-3(11)b., may not be committed to a
State, area or private facility for the mentally retarded. An individual
who is mentally ill and dangerous to himself, as defined in G.S. 122C-3(11)a.,
or others, as defined in G.S. 122C-3(11)b., may also be committed to a
combination of inpatient and outpatient commitment at both a 24-hour facility
and an outpatient treatment physician or center for a period not in excess of
90 days. If the commitment proceedings were initiated as the result of
the respondent's being charged with a violent crime, including a crime
involving an assault with a deadly weapon, and the respondent was found not
guilty by reason of insanity or incapable of proceeding, the commitment order
shall so show. If the court orders inpatient commitment for a respondent
who is under an outpatient commitment order, the outpatient commitment is
terminated; and the clerk of the superior court of the county where the
district court hearing is held shall send a notice of the inpatient commitment
to the clerk of superior court where the outpatient commitment was being
supervised.
(3) If the court does not find that the respondent meets either of the commitment criteria set out in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, the respondent shall be discharged, and the facility in which he was last a client so notified.
(4) Before ordering any outpatient commitment, the court shall make findings of fact as to the availability of outpatient treatment. The court shall also show on the order the outpatient treatment physician or center who is to be responsible for the management and supervision of the respondent's outpatient commitment. When an outpatient commitment order is issued for a respondent held in a 24-hour facility, the court may order the respondent held at the facility for no more than 72 hours in order for the facility to notify the designated outpatient treatment physician or center of the treatment needs of the respondent. The clerk of court in the county where the facility is located shall send a copy of the outpatient commitment order to the designated outpatient treatment physician or center. If the outpatient commitment will be supervised in a county other than the county where the commitment originated, the court shall order venue for further court proceedings to be transferred to the county where the outpatient commitment will be supervised. Upon an order changing venue, the clerk of superior court in the county where the commitment originated shall transfer the file to the clerk of superior court in the county where the outpatient commitment is to be supervised."
Sec. 14. G.S. 122C-273(a)(4) reads as rewritten:
"(4) At any time that the
outpatient treatment physician or center finds that the respondent no longer
meets the criteria set out in G.S. 122C-263(d)(1), the physician or center
shall so notify the court and the case shall be terminated; provided, however,
if the respondent was initially committed as a result of conduct resulting in
his being charged with a violent crime, including a crime involving an assault
with a deadly weapon, and the respondent was found not guilty by reason of
insanity or incapable of proceeding, the designated outpatient treatment
physician or center shall notify the clerk that discharge is recommended. The
clerk shall calendar a supplemental hearing as provided in G.S. 122C-274 to
determine whether the respondent meets the criteria for outpatient
commitment."
Sec. 15. G.S. 122C-275(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a) Fifteen days before
the end of the initial or subsequent periods of outpatient commitment if the
outpatient treatment physician or center determines that the respondent
continues to meet the criteria specified in G.S. 122C-263(d)(1), he shall so
notify the clerk of superior court of the county where the outpatient
commitment is supervised. If the respondent no longer meets the criteria, the
physician shall so notify the clerk who shall dismiss the case; provided,
however, if the respondent was initially committed as a result of conduct
resulting in his being charged with a violent crime, including a crime
involving an assault with a deadly weapon, and the respondent was found not
guilty by reason of insanity or incapable of proceeding, the physician or
center shall notify the clerk that discharge is recommended. The clerk, at
least 10 days before the end of the commitment period, on order of the district
court, shall calendar the rehearing."
Sec. 16. This act is effective upon ratification and applies to all hearings and rehearings on discharge or conditional release occurring on or after the date of ratification for persons who were found not guilty by reason of insanity of commission of a crime.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 16th day of April, 1991.
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James C. Gardner
President of the Senate
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Daniel Blue, Jr.
Speaker of the House of Representatives