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Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 13 Sec. 4820

  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Person: shall include any natural person, corporation, municipality, the State of Vermont or any department, agency, or subdivision of the State, and any partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. See
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

§ 4820. Hearing regarding commitment

(a) When a person charged on information, complaint, or indictment with a criminal offense:

(1) [Repealed.]

(2) is found upon hearing pursuant to section 4817 of this title to be incompetent to stand trial due to a mental disease or mental defect;

(3) is not indicted upon hearing by grand jury by reason of insanity at the time of the alleged offense, duly certified to the court; or

(4) upon trial by court or jury is acquitted by reason of insanity at the time of the alleged offense; the court before which such person is tried or is to be tried for such offense, shall hold a hearing for the purpose of determining whether such person should be committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Mental Health. Such person may be confined in jail or some other suitable place by order of the court pending hearing for a period not exceeding 21 days.

(b) When a person is found to be incompetent to stand trial, has not been indicted by reason of insanity for the alleged offense, or has been acquitted by reason of insanity at the time of the alleged offense, the person shall be entitled to have counsel appointed from Vermont Legal Aid to represent the person. The Department of Mental Health and, if applicable, the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living shall be entitled to appear and call witnesses at the proceeding.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a commitment order issued pursuant to this chapter shall not modify or vacate orders concerning conditions of release or bail issued pursuant to chapter 229 of this title, and the commitment order shall remain in place unless expressly modified, provided that inpatient treatment shall be permitted if a person who is held without bail is found to be in need of inpatient treatment under this chapter. (Added 1969, No. 20, § 7; amended 1987, No. 248 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1989, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 21; 2007, No. 15, § 22; 2021, No. 57, § 2; 2023, No. 28, § 6, eff. July 1, 2023.)