{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-356.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-356.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-356.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-356.html"}],"law_id":81389,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81389,"structure_id":14373,"section_number":"16.1-356","catch_line":"Raising question of competency to stand trial; evaluation and determination of competency","history":"1999, cc. 958, 997; 2000, c. 337; 2005, c. 110; 2009, cc. 813, 840; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 311.","full_text":"A\n\nIf, at any time after the attorney for the juvenile has been retained or appointed pursuant to a delinquency proceeding and before the end of trial, the court finds, sua sponte or upon hearing evidence or representations of counsel for the juvenile or the attorney for the Commonwealth, that there is probable cause to believe that the juvenile lacks substantial capacity to understand the proceedings against him or to assist his attorney in his own defense, the court shall order that a competency evaluation be performed by at least one psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, or licensed marriage and family therapist, who is qualified by training and experience in the forensic evaluation of juveniles.\n\t\t\tThe Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall approve the training and qualifications for individuals authorized to conduct juvenile competency evaluations and provide restoration services to juveniles pursuant to this article. The Commissioner shall also provide all juvenile courts with a list of guidelines for the court to use in the determination of qualifying individuals as experts in matters relating to juvenile competency and restoration.B\n\nThe evaluation shall be performed on an outpatient basis at a community services board or behavioral health authority, juvenile detention home, or juvenile justice facility unless the court specifically finds that (i) the results of the outpatient competency evaluation indicate that hospitalization of the juvenile for evaluation of competency is necessary or (ii) the juvenile is currently hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. If one of these findings is made, the court, under authority of this subsection, may order the juvenile sent to a hospital designated by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as appropriate for the evaluation of juveniles against whom a delinquency petition has been filed.C\n\nThe court shall require the attorney for the Commonwealth to provide to the evaluators appointed under subsection A any information relevant to the evaluation, including, but not limited to (i) a copy of the warrant or petition; (ii) the names and addresses of the attorney for the Commonwealth, the attorney for the juvenile, and the judge ordering the evaluation; and (iii) information about the alleged offense. The court shall require the attorney for the juvenile to provide to the evaluator only the psychiatric records and other information that is deemed relevant to the evaluation of competency. The moving party shall provide the evaluator a summary of the reasons for the evaluation request. All information required by this subsection shall be provided to the evaluator within 96 hours of the issuance of the court order requiring the evaluation and when applicable, shall be submitted prior to admission to the facility providing the inpatient evaluation. If the 96-hour period expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the 96 hours shall be extended to the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The appointed evaluator or the director of the community services board, behavioral health authority, or hospital shall acknowledge receipt of the court order to the clerk of the court on a form developed by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia as soon as practicable but no later than the close of business on the next business day following receipt of the court order. If the appointed evaluator or the director of the community services board, behavioral health authority, hospital, or private evaluator is unable to conduct the evaluation, he shall inform the court on the acknowledgement form.D\n\nIf the juvenile is hospitalized under the provisions of subsection B, the juvenile shall be hospitalized for such time as the director of the hospital deems necessary to perform an adequate evaluation of the juvenile’s competency, but not to exceed 10 days from the date of admission to the hospital. All evaluations shall be completed and the report filed with the court within 14 days of receipt by the evaluator of all information required under subsection C.E\n\nUpon completion of the evaluation, the evaluator shall promptly and in no event exceeding 14 days after receipt of all required information submit the report in writing to the court and the attorneys of record concerning (i) the juvenile’s capacity to understand the proceedings against him; (ii) his ability to assist his attorney; and (iii) his need for services in the event he is found incompetent, including a description of the suggested necessary services and least restrictive setting to assist the juvenile in restoration to competency. No statements of the juvenile relating to the alleged offense shall be included in the report.F\n\nAfter receiving the report described in subsection E, the court shall promptly determine whether the juvenile is competent to stand trial for adjudication or disposition. A hearing on the juvenile’s competency is not required unless one is requested by the attorney for the Commonwealth or the attorney for the juvenile or when required under § 16.1-357 B. If a hearing is held, the party alleging that the juvenile is incompetent shall bear the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence the juvenile’s incompetency. The juvenile shall have the right to notice of the hearing and the right to personally participate in and introduce evidence at the hearing.\n\t\t\tIf the juvenile is otherwise able to understand the charges against him and assist in his defense, a finding of incompetency shall not be made based solely on any or all of the following: (i) the juvenile’s age or developmental factors, (ii) the juvenile’s claim to be unable to remember the time period surrounding the alleged offense, or (iii) the fact that the juvenile is under the influence of medication.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":291653,"text":"If, at any time after the attorney for the juvenile has been retained or appointed pursuant to a delinquency proceeding and before the end of trial, the court finds, sua sponte or upon hearing evidence or representations of counsel for the juvenile or the attorney for the Commonwealth, that there is probable cause to believe that the juvenile lacks substantial capacity to understand the proceedings against him or to assist his attorney in his own defense, the court shall order that a competency evaluation be performed by at least one psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, or licensed marriage and family therapist, who is qualified by training and experience in the forensic evaluation of juveniles.\n\t\t\tThe Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall approve the training and qualifications for individuals authorized to conduct juvenile competency evaluations and provide restoration services to juveniles pursuant to this article. The Commissioner shall also provide all juvenile courts with a list of guidelines for the court to use in the determination of qualifying individuals as experts in matters relating to juvenile competency and restoration.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":291654,"text":"The evaluation shall be performed on an outpatient basis at a community services board or behavioral health authority, juvenile detention home, or juvenile justice facility unless the court specifically finds that (i) the results of the outpatient competency evaluation indicate that hospitalization of the juvenile for evaluation of competency is necessary or (ii) the juvenile is currently hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. If one of these findings is made, the court, under authority of this subsection, may order the juvenile sent to a hospital designated by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as appropriate for the evaluation of juveniles against whom a delinquency petition has been filed.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":291655,"text":"The court shall require the attorney for the Commonwealth to provide to the evaluators appointed under subsection A any information relevant to the evaluation, including, but not limited to (i) a copy of the warrant or petition; (ii) the names and addresses of the attorney for the Commonwealth, the attorney for the juvenile, and the judge ordering the evaluation; and (iii) information about the alleged offense. The court shall require the attorney for the juvenile to provide to the evaluator only the psychiatric records and other information that is deemed relevant to the evaluation of competency. The moving party shall provide the evaluator a summary of the reasons for the evaluation request. All information required by this subsection shall be provided to the evaluator within 96 hours of the issuance of the court order requiring the evaluation and when applicable, shall be submitted prior to admission to the facility providing the inpatient evaluation. If the 96-hour period expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the 96 hours shall be extended to the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The appointed evaluator or the director of the community services board, behavioral health authority, or hospital shall acknowledge receipt of the court order to the clerk of the court on a form developed by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia as soon as practicable but no later than the close of business on the next business day following receipt of the court order. If the appointed evaluator or the director of the community services board, behavioral health authority, hospital, or private evaluator is unable to conduct the evaluation, he shall inform the court on the acknowledgement form.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":291656,"text":"If the juvenile is hospitalized under the provisions of subsection B, the juvenile shall be hospitalized for such time as the director of the hospital deems necessary to perform an adequate evaluation of the juvenile’s competency, but not to exceed 10 days from the date of admission to the hospital. All evaluations shall be completed and the report filed with the court within 14 days of receipt by the evaluator of all information required under subsection C.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":291657,"text":"Upon completion of the evaluation, the evaluator shall promptly and in no event exceeding 14 days after receipt of all required information submit the report in writing to the court and the attorneys of record concerning (i) the juvenile’s capacity to understand the proceedings against him; (ii) his ability to assist his attorney; and (iii) his need for services in the event he is found incompetent, including a description of the suggested necessary services and least restrictive setting to assist the juvenile in restoration to competency. No statements of the juvenile relating to the alleged offense shall be included in the report.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":291658,"text":"After receiving the report described in subsection E, the court shall promptly determine whether the juvenile is competent to stand trial for adjudication or disposition. A hearing on the juvenile’s competency is not required unless one is requested by the attorney for the Commonwealth or the attorney for the juvenile or when required under § 16.1-357 B. If a hearing is held, the party alleging that the juvenile is incompetent shall bear the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence the juvenile’s incompetency. The juvenile shall have the right to notice of the hearing and the right to personally participate in and introduce evidence at the hearing.\n\t\t\tIf the juvenile is otherwise able to understand the charges against him and assist in his defense, a finding of incompetency shall not be made based solely on any or all of the following: (i) the juvenile’s age or developmental factors, (ii) the juvenile’s claim to be unable to remember the time period surrounding the alleged offense, or (iii) the fact that the juvenile is under the influence of medication.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14373,"edition_id":1,"name":"Juvenile Competency","identifier":"18","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12701,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:55","permalink":{"id":161401,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14373,"identifier":"18","token":"16.1\/11\/18","url":"\/16.1\/11\/18\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12701,"edition_id":1,"name":"Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts","identifier":"11","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160945,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12701,"identifier":"11","token":"16.1\/11","url":"\/16.1\/11\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":81389,"structure_id":14373,"section_number":"16.1-356","catch_line":"Raising question of competency to stand trial; evaluation and determination of competency","url":"\/16.1-356\/","token":"16.1\/11\/18\/16.1-356","metadata":false},{"id":56374,"structure_id":14373,"section_number":"16.1-357","catch_line":"Disposition when juvenile found incompetent","url":"\/16.1-357\/","token":"16.1\/11\/18\/16.1-357","metadata":false},{"id":70099,"structure_id":14373,"section_number":"16.1-358","catch_line":"Disposition of the unrestorably incompetent juvenile","url":"\/16.1-358\/","token":"16.1\/11\/18\/16.1-358","metadata":false},{"id":55701,"structure_id":14373,"section_number":"16.1-359","catch_line":"Litigating certain issues when the juvenile is incompetent","url":"\/16.1-359\/","token":"16.1\/11\/18\/16.1-359","metadata":false},{"id":60002,"structure_id":14373,"section_number":"16.1-360","catch_line":"Disclosure by juvenile during evaluation or restoration; use at guilt phase of trial adjudication or disposition hearing","url":"\/16.1-360\/","token":"16.1\/11\/18\/16.1-360","metadata":false},{"id":76986,"structure_id":14373,"section_number":"16.1-361","catch_line":"Compensation of experts","url":"\/16.1-361\/","token":"16.1\/11\/18\/16.1-361","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":56374,"structure_id":14373,"section_number":"16.1-357","catch_line":"Disposition when juvenile found incompetent","url":"\/16.1-357\/","token":"16.1\/11\/18\/16.1-357","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-356\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1999. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 958<\/a> and 997<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2000, chapter 337<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 110<\/a>; in 2009, chapters 813<\/a> and 840<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56374,"section_number":"16.1-357","catch_line":"Disposition when juvenile found incompetent","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-357\/"},{"id":70099,"section_number":"16.1-358","catch_line":"Disposition of the unrestorably incompetent juvenile","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-358\/"},{"id":60002,"section_number":"16.1-360","catch_line":"Disclosure by juvenile during evaluation or restoration; use at guilt phase of trial adjudication or disposition hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-360\/"},{"id":76986,"section_number":"16.1-361","catch_line":"Compensation of experts","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-361\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56374,"section_number":"16.1-357","catch_line":"Disposition when juvenile found incompetent","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-357\/"}],"permalink":{"id":161403,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81389,"identifier":"16.1-356","token":"16.1\/11\/18\/16.1-356","url":"\/16.1-356\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-356\/","token":"16.1\/11\/18\/16.1-356","dublin_core":{"Title":"Raising question of competency to stand trial; evaluation and determination of competency","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-356","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> If, at any time after the attorney for the juvenile has been retained or appointed pursuant to a delinquency proceeding and before the end of trial<\/span>, the court<\/span> finds, sua sponte<\/span> or upon hearing<\/span> evidence<\/span> or representations of counsel<\/span> for the juvenile or the attorney for the Commonwealth, that there is probable cause<\/span> to believe that the juvenile lacks substantial capacity to understand the proceedings against him or to assist his attorney in his own defense, the court<\/span> shall order<\/span> that a competency evaluation be performed by at least one psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, or licensed marriage and family therapist, who is qualified by training and experience in the forensic evaluation of juveniles.\n\t\t\tThe Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall approve the training and qualifications for individuals authorized to conduct juvenile competency evaluations and provide restoration services to juveniles pursuant to this article. The Commissioner shall also provide all juvenile courts<\/span> with a list of guidelines for the court<\/span> to use in the determination of qualifying individuals as experts in matters relating to juvenile competency and restoration. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The evaluation shall be performed on an outpatient basis at a community services<\/span> board or behavioral health authority, juvenile detention home<\/span>, or juvenile justice facility unless the court<\/span> specifically finds that (i) the results of the outpatient competency evaluation indicate that hospitalization of the juvenile for evaluation of competency is necessary or (ii) the juvenile is currently hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. If one of these findings<\/span> is made, the court<\/span>, under authority of this subsection, may order<\/span> the juvenile sent to a hospital designated by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as appropriate for the evaluation of juveniles against whom a delinquency petition<\/span> has been filed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The court<\/span> shall require the attorney for the Commonwealth to provide to the evaluators appointed under subsection A any information relevant to the evaluation, including, but not limited to (i) a copy of the warrant or petition<\/span>; (ii) the names and addresses of the attorney for the Commonwealth, the attorney for the juvenile, and the judge<\/span> ordering the evaluation; and (iii) information about the alleged offense<\/span>. The court<\/span> shall require the attorney for the juvenile to provide to the evaluator only the psychiatric records and other information that is deemed relevant to the evaluation of competency. The moving party<\/span> shall provide the evaluator a summary of the reasons for the evaluation request. All information required by this subsection shall be provided to the evaluator within 96 hours of the issuance of the court order<\/span> requiring the evaluation and when applicable, shall be submitted prior to admission to the facility providing the inpatient evaluation. If the 96-hour period expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the 96 hours shall be extended to the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The appointed evaluator or the director<\/span> of the community services<\/span> board, behavioral health authority, or hospital shall acknowledge receipt of the court order<\/span> to the clerk of the court<\/span> on a form developed by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia as soon as practicable but no later than the close of business on the next business day following receipt of the court order<\/span>. If the appointed evaluator or the director<\/span> of the community services<\/span> board, behavioral health authority, hospital, or private evaluator is unable to conduct the evaluation, he shall inform the court<\/span> on the acknowledgement form. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> If the juvenile is hospitalized under the provisions of subsection B, the juvenile shall be hospitalized for such time as the director<\/span> of the hospital deems necessary to perform an adequate evaluation of the juvenile’s competency, but not to exceed 10 days from the date of admission to the hospital. All evaluations shall be completed and the report filed with the court<\/span> within 14 days of receipt by the evaluator of all information required under subsection C. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Upon completion of the evaluation, the evaluator shall promptly and in no event exceeding 14 days after receipt of all required information submit the report in writing to the court<\/span> and the attorneys of record concerning (i) the juvenile’s capacity to understand the proceedings against him; (ii) his ability to assist his attorney; and (iii) his need for services in the event he is found incompetent, including a description of the suggested necessary services and least restrictive setting to assist the juvenile in restoration to competency. No statements of the juvenile relating to the alleged offense<\/span> shall be included in the report. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> After receiving the report described in subsection E, the court<\/span> shall promptly determine whether the juvenile is competent to stand trial<\/span> for adjudication or disposition<\/span>. A hearing<\/span> on the juvenile’s competency is not required unless one is requested by the attorney for the Commonwealth or the attorney for the juvenile or when required under § 16.1-357<\/a> B. If a hearing<\/span> is held, the party<\/span> alleging that the juvenile is incompetent shall bear the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence<\/span> the juvenile’s incompetency. The juvenile shall have the right to notice of the hearing<\/span> and the right to personally participate in and introduce evidence at the hearing<\/span>.\n\t\t\tIf the juvenile is otherwise able to understand the charges against him and assist in his defense, a finding<\/span> of incompetency shall not be made based solely on any or all of the following: (i) the juvenile’s age or developmental factors, (ii) the juvenile’s claim to be unable to remember the time period surrounding the alleged offense<\/span>, or (iii) the fact<\/span> that the juvenile is under the influence of medication. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRAISING QUESTION OF COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL; EVALUATION AND DETERMINATION OF\nCOMPETENCY (\u00a7 16.1-356)\n\nA. If, at any time after the attorney for the juvenile has been retained or\nappointed pursuant to a delinquency proceeding and before the end of trial, the\ncourt finds, sua sponte or upon hearing evidence or representations of counsel\nfor the juvenile or the attorney for the Commonwealth, that there is probable\ncause to believe that the juvenile lacks substantial capacity to understand the\nproceedings against him or to assist his attorney in his own defense, the court\nshall order that a competency evaluation be performed by at least one\npsychiatrist, clinical psychologist, licensed professional counselor, licensed\nclinical social worker, or licensed marriage and family therapist, who is\nqualified by training and experience in the forensic evaluation of juveniles.\n\t\t\tThe Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall\napprove the training and qualifications for individuals authorized to conduct\njuvenile competency evaluations and provide restoration services to juveniles\npursuant to this article. The Commissioner shall also provide all juvenile\ncourts with a list of guidelines for the court to use in the determination of\nqualifying individuals as experts in matters relating to juvenile competency and\nrestoration.\n\nB. The evaluation shall be performed on an outpatient basis at a community\nservices board or behavioral health authority, juvenile detention home, or\njuvenile justice facility unless the court specifically finds that (i) the\nresults of the outpatient competency evaluation indicate that hospitalization of\nthe juvenile for evaluation of competency is necessary or (ii) the juvenile is\ncurrently hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. If one of these findings is\nmade, the court, under authority of this subsection, may order the juvenile sent\nto a hospital designated by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and\nDevelopmental Services as appropriate for the evaluation of juveniles against\nwhom a delinquency petition has been filed.\n\nC. The court shall require the attorney for the Commonwealth to provide to the\nevaluators appointed under subsection A any information relevant to the\nevaluation, including, but not limited to (i) a copy of the warrant or petition;\n(ii) the names and addresses of the attorney for the Commonwealth, the attorney\nfor the juvenile, and the judge ordering the evaluation; and (iii) information\nabout the alleged offense. The court shall require the attorney for the juvenile\nto provide to the evaluator only the psychiatric records and other information\nthat is deemed relevant to the evaluation of competency. The moving party shall\nprovide the evaluator a summary of the reasons for the evaluation request. All\ninformation required by this subsection shall be provided to the evaluator\nwithin 96 hours of the issuance of the court order requiring the evaluation and\nwhen applicable, shall be submitted prior to admission to the facility providing\nthe inpatient evaluation. If the 96-hour period expires on a Saturday, Sunday,\nor other legal holiday, the 96 hours shall be extended to the next day which is\nnot a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The appointed evaluator or the\ndirector of the community services board, behavioral health authority, or\nhospital shall acknowledge receipt of the court order to the clerk of the court\non a form developed by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme\nCourt of Virginia as soon as practicable but no later than the close of business\non the next business day following receipt of the court order. If the appointed\nevaluator or the director of the community services board, behavioral health\nauthority, hospital, or private evaluator is unable to conduct the evaluation,\nhe shall inform the court on the acknowledgement form.\n\nD. If the juvenile is hospitalized under the provisions of subsection B, the\njuvenile shall be hospitalized for such time as the director of the hospital\ndeems necessary to perform an adequate evaluation of the juvenile’s\ncompetency, but not to exceed 10 days from the date of admission to the\nhospital. All evaluations shall be completed and the report filed with the court\nwithin 14 days of receipt by the evaluator of all information required under\nsubsection C.\n\nE. Upon completion of the evaluation, the evaluator shall promptly and in no\nevent exceeding 14 days after receipt of all required information submit the\nreport in writing to the court and the attorneys of record concerning (i) the\njuvenile’s capacity to understand the proceedings against him; (ii) his\nability to assist his attorney; and (iii) his need for services in the event he\nis found incompetent, including a description of the suggested necessary\nservices and least restrictive setting to assist the juvenile in restoration to\ncompetency. No statements of the juvenile relating to the alleged offense shall\nbe included in the report.\n\nF. After receiving the report described in subsection E, the court shall\npromptly determine whether the juvenile is competent to stand trial for\nadjudication or disposition. A hearing on the juvenile’s competency is not\nrequired unless one is requested by the attorney for the Commonwealth or the\nattorney for the juvenile or when required under § 16.1-357 B. If a hearing\nis held, the party alleging that the juvenile is incompetent shall bear the\nburden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence the juvenile’s\nincompetency. The juvenile shall have the right to notice of the hearing and the\nright to personally participate in and introduce evidence at the hearing.\n\t\t\tIf the juvenile is otherwise able to understand the charges against him and\nassist in his defense, a finding of incompetency shall not be made based solely\non any or all of the following: (i) the juvenile’s age or developmental\nfactors, (ii) the juvenile’s claim to be unable to remember the time\nperiod surrounding the alleged offense, or (iii) the fact that the juvenile is\nunder the influence of medication.\n\nHISTORY: 1999, cc. 958, 997; 2000, c. 337; 2005, c. 110; 2009, cc. 813, 840;\n2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 311.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}