The Arizona Revised Statutes have been updated to include the revised sections from the 56th Legislature, 1st Regular Session. Please note that the next update of this compilation will not take place until after the conclusion of the 56th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session, which convenes in January 2024.
DISCLAIMER
This online version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is primarily maintained for legislative drafting purposes and reflects the version of law that is effective on January 1st of the year following the most recent legislative session. The official version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is published by Thomson Reuters.
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.