Appointment of one or more experts to evaluate and report on competence of child; qualification and duties of expert.

Checkout our iOS App for a better way to browser and research.

1. If the juvenile court suspends a case pursuant to NRS 62D.145, the juvenile court shall appoint one or more experts, at least one of whom is a psychologist or psychiatrist, to evaluate the child and report on the competence of the child.

2. Before appointing an expert to evaluate and report on the competence of the child, the juvenile court shall consider the following factors to determine the ability and qualification of the expert to provide such an evaluation and report:

(a) The training and experience of the expert in child psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry or child forensic psychiatry;

(b) The licensure or professional certification of the expert; and

(c) Any other factor the juvenile court deems appropriate in making the appointment.

3. An expert appointed by the juvenile court to evaluate and report on the competence of a child must:

(a) Be deemed by the juvenile court to be able and qualified to evaluate and report on the competence of the child pursuant to subsection 2; and

(b) Prepare and provide a written report to the juvenile court and the parties not later than 14 days after the juvenile court enters an order appointing the expert, unless the juvenile court provides an extension for good cause shown.

4. The appointment of an expert pursuant to this section does not preclude the district attorney or the child from calling any other expert witness to testify concerning the competence of the child at an adjudicatory hearing, a hearing on a violation of juvenile probation or parole or a hearing to determine whether the child is incompetent. Any such expert witness must be allowed to evaluate the child and examine all relevant records and documents.

(Added to NRS by 2015, 2029)


Download our app to see the most-to-date content.