When used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) CAPACITY TO PROCEED OR CONTINUE TO TRIAL. Whether or not a defendant accused of a crime:
a. Understands the nature of the charges preferred against him; and
b. Is capable of assisting his attorney in the preparation of the defense of his case.
(2) COMMISSIONER. The Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health of the State of Alabama.
(3) SUPERINTENDENT. The superintendent or director of Bryce Hospital located in Tuscaloosa County, the superintendent or director of Searcy Hospital located in Mobile County or the superintendent or director of any such facility as defined in subdivision (4) of this section.
(4) FACILITY. Any state-owned or state-operated hospital or other facility, whether currently operating or to be operated in the future, utilized for the diagnosis, care, treatment, training or hospitalization of persons who are mentally ill or who are believed to be mentally ill and any other appropriate facility within the State of Alabama approved for such purpose by the Department of Mental Health, excluding those general hospitals owned by a state educational institution which is a public corporation organized under the acts of the Legislature of the State of Alabama. Such exclusion, however, shall not deny the governing authority of such hospital the right to contractually agree to provide services to the mentally ill.
Last modified: May 3, 2021