Cite as: 22 CNCA § 1175.1

As used in this act:

1. "Competent" or "competency" means the present ability of a person arrested for or charged with a crime to understand the nature of the charges and proceedings brought against him, and is able to effectively and rationally assist in his defense. A person may be incompetent due to physical disability;

2. "Criminal proceeding" means every stage of a criminal prosecution after arrest and before judgment, including, but not limited to, interrogation, line up, preliminary hearing, motion dockets, discovery, pretrial hearings and trial;

3. "Doctor" means any physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or equivalent expert;

4. "Incompetent" or "incompetency" means any person who is not presently competent;

5. "Physical disability" means deafness, muteness, blindness or some combination thereof.

Historical Data

LA 10–90, eff. November 13, 1990.