Arizona statute
A.R.S. § 8-291.02 — Expert appointment; costs; immunity
Current through 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)
Part of Article 8: Juvenile Competency, Arizona Revised Statutes.
Full text of A.R.S. § 8-291.02
Statutory text current through the 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025). This publication reproduces the official statutory text published by the Arizona Legislature (Arizona Legislative Council compilation, azleg.gov); it is not the official statutes of the State of Arizona.
A. If the court determines that grounds exist for a competency examination, the court shall appoint two or more mental health experts. The mental health experts shall examine the juvenile, issue a report and, if necessary, testify regarding the juvenile's competency. The court, on its own motion or upon motion of any party, may order that one of the mental health experts appointed shall be a physician specializing in psychiatry and licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17. The state and the juvenile, upon approval of the court, may stipulate to the appointment of only one expert.
B. The court may order the juvenile to submit to any physical, neurological or psychological examination, if necessary, to adequately determine the juvenile's mental condition.
C. The county shall pay the costs of any examination that is ordered pursuant to subsection B, except that if a municipal court judge refers a case, the political subdivision shall pay the costs of the examination.
D. This section does not prohibit any party from retaining the party's own expert to conduct additional examinations at the party's own expense.
E. A person who is appointed as a mental health expert or a clinical liaison is immune from liability for acts or omissions pursuant to this section, except that the mental health expert or clinical liaison may be liable for intentional, wanton or grossly negligent acts that are done in the performance of the expert's or liaison's duties.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.