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Florida Statute 916.12 - Full Text and Legal Analysis
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The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XLVII
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS
Chapter 916
MENTALLY ILL AND INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED DEFENDANTS
View Entire Chapter
916.12 Mental competence to proceed.
(1) A defendant is incompetent to proceed within the meaning of this chapter if the defendant does not have sufficient present ability to consult with her or his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if the defendant has no rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against her or him.
(2) Mental health experts appointed pursuant to s. 916.115 shall first determine whether the defendant has a mental illness and, if so, consider the factors related to the issue of whether the defendant meets the criteria for competence to proceed as described in subsection (1). A defendant must be evaluated by no fewer than two experts before the court commits the defendant or takes other action authorized by this chapter or the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, except if one expert finds that the defendant is incompetent to proceed and the parties stipulate to that finding, the court may commit the defendant or take other action authorized by this chapter or the rules without further evaluation or hearing, or the court may appoint no more than two additional experts to evaluate the defendant. Notwithstanding any stipulation by the state and the defendant, the court may require a hearing with testimony from the expert or experts before ordering the commitment of a defendant.
(3) In considering the issue of competence to proceed, an examining expert shall first consider and specifically include in his or her report the defendant’s capacity to:
(a) Appreciate the charges or allegations against the defendant.
(b) Appreciate the range and nature of possible penalties, if applicable, that may be imposed in the proceedings against the defendant.
(c) Understand the adversarial nature of the legal process.
(d) Disclose to counsel facts pertinent to the proceedings at issue.
(e) Manifest appropriate courtroom behavior.
(f) Testify relevantly.

In addition, an examining expert shall consider and include in his or her report any other factor deemed relevant by the expert.

(4) If an expert finds that the defendant is incompetent to proceed, the expert shall report on any recommended treatment for the defendant to attain competence to proceed. In considering the issues relating to treatment, the examining expert shall specifically report on:
(a) The mental illness causing the incompetence.
(b) The completion of a clinical assessment by approved mental health experts trained by the department to ensure safety of the patient and the community.
(c) The treatment or treatments appropriate for the mental illness of the defendant and an explanation of each of the possible treatment alternatives, including, at a minimum, mental health services, treatment services, rehabilitative services, support services, and case management services as described in s. 394.67, which may be provided by or within multidisciplinary community treatment teams, such as Florida Assertive Community Treatment, conditional release programs, outpatient services or intensive outpatient treatment programs, and supportive employment and supportive housing opportunities in treating and supporting the recovery of the patient.
(d) The availability of acceptable treatment and, if treatment is available in the community, the expert shall so state in the report. In determining what acceptable treatments are available in the community, the expert shall, at a minimum, use current information or resources on less restrictive treatment alternatives, as described in paragraph (c) and those obtained from forensic evaluators training provided by the department.
(e) The likelihood of the defendant’s attaining competence under the treatment recommended, an assessment of the probable duration of the treatment required to restore competence, and the probability that the defendant will attain competence to proceed in the foreseeable future.

The examining expert’s report to the court shall include a full and detailed explanation regarding why the alternative treatment options referenced in the evaluation are insufficient to meet the needs of the defendant.

(5) A defendant who, because of psychotropic medication, is able to understand the nature of proceedings and assist in the defendant’s own defense shall not automatically be deemed incompetent to proceed simply because the defendant’s satisfactory mental functioning is dependent upon such medication. As used in this subsection, “psychotropic medication” means any drug or compound used to treat mental or emotional disorders affecting the mind, behavior, intellectual functions, perception, moods, or emotions and includes antipsychotic, antidepressant, antimanic, and antianxiety drugs.
History.s. 1, ch. 80-75; s. 1529, ch. 97-102; s. 15, ch. 98-92; s. 59, ch. 2005-236; s. 11, ch. 2006-195; s. 21, ch. 2010-117; s. 3, ch. 2023-270; s. 12, ch. 2025-143.

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Amendments to 916.12


Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 916.12

Total Results: 56  |  Sort by: Relevance  |  Newest First

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Hunter v. State, 660 So. 2d 244 (Fla. 1995).

Cited 134 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 1995 WL 324080

...r with a reasonable degree of rational understanding — and whether he has a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him." Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 789, 4 L.Ed.2d 824, 825 (1960); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Caraballo v. State, 39 So. 3d 1234 (Fla. 2010).

Cited 43 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 35 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 374, 2010 Fla. LEXIS 992, 2010 WL 2517974

...to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding" and "a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him." Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
...ls the information that must be addressed in the examining expert's written report. The rule also provides procedures for the examining expert in the event that a defendant is found incompetent to proceed. These procedures have also been codified in section 916.12, Florida Statutes (2006)....
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McCray v. State, 71 So. 3d 848 (Fla. 2011).

Cited 43 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 36 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 383, 2011 Fla. LEXIS 1565, 2011 WL 2637377

...al understanding— and whether he has a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him." Peede v. State, 955 So.2d 480, 488 (Fla.2007) (quoting Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960)); § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Hertz v. State, 803 So. 2d 629 (Fla. 2001).

Cited 42 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 2001 WL 1338444

...ng—and whether he has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the proceedings against him.'" Hardy v. State, 716 So.2d 761, 763-64 (Fla.1998) (quoting Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960)); see also § 916.12(1), Fla.Stat....
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Muhammad v. State, 494 So. 2d 969 (Fla. 1986).

Cited 39 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 11 Fla. L. Weekly 359

...thin the meaning of this chapter if he does not have sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if he has no rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against him. § 916.12(1), Fla....
...Muhammad's pleadings and behavior both before and after the determination of competency clearly indicate he had "sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding [and had a] rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against him." § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Mora v. State, 814 So. 2d 322 (Fla. 2002).

Cited 30 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 2002 WL 87463

...with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding—and whether he has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the proceedings against him." Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Carter v. State, 706 So. 2d 873 (Fla. 1997).

Cited 28 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 1997 WL 709671

...Drope v. Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 171, 95 S.Ct. 896, 903, 43 L.Ed.2d 103 (1975); see also Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960); Scott v. State, 420 So.2d 595 (Fla. 1982); Lane v. State, 388 So.2d 1022 (Fla. 1980); § 916.12, Fla....
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Evans v. State, 800 So. 2d 182 (Fla. 2001).

Cited 27 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 2001 WL 1194326

...wyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding-and whether he has a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him." Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 789, 4 L.Ed.2d 824, 825 (1960); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Alston v. State, 894 So. 2d 46 (Fla. 2004).

Cited 23 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 2004 WL 2297848

...and whether he has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the pending collateral proceedings." Hardy v. State, 716 So.2d 761, 763 (Fla.1998) (quoting Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960)); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Hardy v. State, 716 So. 2d 761 (Fla. 1998).

Cited 23 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 1998 WL 306613

...his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding—and whether he has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the proceedings against him." Dusky v. *764 United States, 362 U.S. 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Bryant v. State, 785 So. 2d 422 (Fla. 2001).

Cited 22 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 2001 WL 326697

...ng—and whether he has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the proceedings against him.'" Hardy v. State, 716 So.2d 761, 763-64 (Fla.1998) (quoting Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960)); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Hernandez-Alberto v. State, 889 So. 2d 721 (Fla. 2004).

Cited 21 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 2004 WL 2109981

...ith his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding — and whether he has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the proceedings against him." Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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In Re Commitment of Reilly, 970 So. 2d 453 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007).

Cited 14 times | Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 2007 WL 4270584

...On March 5, 2007, counsel for Reilly and counsel for the State stipulated to the "findings and the treatment recommendations of the October 25, 2006[sic] forensic competency evaluation provided to the Court by Dr. Paul S. Kling." This stipulation was entered pursuant to section 916.12(2), Florida Statutes (2006), which permits the trial court to adjudicate a person incompetent if the parties stipulate to a finding of incompetence by one mental health expert....
...present rational and factual understanding of the proceedings against him. Accordingly, it did not provide competent, substantial evidence to support the trial court's finding that Reilly was presently incompetent to proceed. While we recognize that section 916.12(2) permits the trial court to adjudicate a defendant incompetent based on the stipulation of the parties to one mental health expert's findings, we do not believe that section 916.12(2) permits the court to rely on a stipulation to an expert's report that is so stale that it no longer speaks to the defendant's present competence....
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In Re Amend. to Fla. Rules of Cr. Proc., 606 So. 2d 227 (Fla. 1992).

Cited 9 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 1992 WL 246494

...(e) This sectionsubdivision provides for the confidentiality of the information obtained by virtue of an examination of the defendant pursuant to this sectionsubdivision. Cf. § 90.108, Fla. Stat. (1979); Rule Fla.R.Civ.P. 1.330(6), Fla.R.Civ.P. Section 925.22916.12, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1980), [designated as Fla.St. 1980, Supp. § 916.12] is a companion statute relating to mental competence to stand trial....
...ion of defense counsel, the jury shall, at the beginning of the trial and in the charge to the jury, be given explanatory instructions regarding such medication. Committee Notes 1980 Adoption. (c) As to psychotropic medications, see section 925.22(b)916.12(2), Florida Statutes (1980) [designated as Fla. St. 1980, Supp. § 916.12(b)]....
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Barnes v. State, 124 So. 3d 904 (Fla. 2013).

Cited 9 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 38 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 490, 2013 WL 3214422, 2013 Fla. LEXIS 1313

...if the defendant does not have sufficient present ability to consult with her or his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if the defendant has no rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against her or him.” §' 916.12(1), Fla....
...as having a personality disorder, a competency determination is essential to ensure that his constitutional rights are protected and to protect the integrity of the process. However, this is neither supported by case law nor by the Florida Statutes. Section 916.12(1), Florida Statutes (2006), provides that a defendant is incompetent to proceed if he does not have the present ability to consult with his attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if the defendant has no rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him....
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Dep't of Child. & Families v. Lotton, 172 So. 3d 983 (Fla. 5th DCA 2015).

Cited 7 times | Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 2015 Fla. App. LEXIS 12850, 2015 WL 5051125

...We agree with the trial court that Defendant’s described courtroom behaviors were unusual and raised concerns about her competency to proceed. However, there are clearly established procedures that must be followed when a defendant’s competency is questioned. To make this determination, section 916.12(2) states that the defendant shall be evaluated by no fewer than two experts before the court takes any action under chapter 916 or the rules of criminal procedure....
...Here, only one expert was appointed and he was-unable to examine or evaluate Defendant on a single occasion. Nothing in the record indicates that Dr. Williamson made any further attempt to evaluate her, nor did he advise the trial court that any further efforts would be futile. Both section 916.12(2)-(4) and rule 3.211(a) state that the experts shall examine the defendant and mandate the contents and findings that are necessary in the experts’ reports. § 916.12(3)-(4), Fla....
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Castro v. State, 744 So. 2d 986 (Fla. 1999).

Cited 5 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 1999 WL 685712

...th his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding—and whether he has a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him." Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Ozbourn v. State, 651 So. 2d 795 (Fla. 1st DCA 1995).

Cited 5 times | Published | Florida 1st District Court of Appeal | 1995 WL 93822

...Appeal From Incompetency Determination Moot The notice of appeal which initiated these proceedings was filed before the final judgment of conviction was entered. Cf. Jones v. State, 423 So.2d 520 (Fla. 5th DCA 1982). Insofar as the order that has been appealed was entered under section 916.12(1), Florida Statutes (1991), [2] and adjudicated appellant incompetent to stand trial, it is an interlocutory order, which is not subject to appeal under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.140(b)(1)....
...[2] person is incompetent to stand trial ... if [s]he does not have sufficient present ability to consult with h[er] lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if [s]he has no rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against h[er]. § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Pericola v. State, 499 So. 2d 864 (Fla. 1st DCA 1986).

Cited 5 times | Published | Florida 1st District Court of Appeal | 11 Fla. L. Weekly 2555

...A person is incompetent to stand trial if he does not have sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if he has no rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against him. Section 916.12(1), Florida Statutes (1985); Rule 3.211(a), Fla.R....
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Dep't of Child. & Families v. Clem, 903 So. 2d 1011 (Fla. 5th DCA 2005).

Cited 4 times | Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 2005 Fla. App. LEXIS 8788, 2005 WL 1364562

...Bortnick's opinion, standing alone, is insufficient to support the trial judge's order. We disagree. Contrary to DCF's position, nothing in the statutes requires that a majority of the appointed experts find the accused incompetent to stand trial. See §§ 916.115, 916.12, & 916.13, Fla....
...Bortnick opined that Clem was incompetent, he should have "included specific findings regarding the possibility of restoring him to competency, the treatment that was needed to restore competency and the need for a secure or less restrictive commitment." See § 916.12(4), Fla. Stat. (2003). Section 916.12(4) provides: (4) If the experts should find that the defendant is incompetent to proceed, the experts shall report on any recommended treatment for the defendant to attain competence to proceed....
...ndant's attaining competence under the treatment recommended, an assessment of the probable duration of the treatment required to restore competence, and the probability that the defendant will attain competence to proceed in the foreseeable future. § 916.12(4), Fla. Stat. (2003). Dr. Bortnick's report did not specifically address the criteria set forth in section 916.12(4)....
...ogram determines that a criminal defendant no longer meets the criteria for continued placement, the administrator is to file a report with the trial court. Consequently, although Dr. Bortnick's report should have addressed the criteria set forth in section 916.12(4) in more detail, the fact remains that in light of section 916.13(2), DCF cannot tenably argue that the trial court's order causes it irreparable harm for purposes of certiorari since under this provision, the administrator of Clem's...
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Douse v. State, 930 So. 2d 838 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006).

Cited 3 times | Published | Florida 4th District Court of Appeal | 2006 WL 1626908

...eive treatment. We therefore grant the writ to the extent of requiring an immediate hearing for the trial judge to select the appropriate section 916.17(2) option. While it may be advisable to have defendant evaluated once again for competency under section 916.12(2), the previous evaluating doctors both opined that this defendant was in need of treatment available only through commitment....
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Harris v. State, 864 So. 2d 1252 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004).

Cited 3 times | Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 2004 WL 177020

...th a reasonable degree of rational understanding—and whether he has a rational as well as factual understanding *1254 of the proceedings against him." Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 789, 4 L.Ed.2d 824, 825 (1960); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Jones v. State, 465 So. 2d 1330 (Fla. 3d DCA 1985).

Cited 2 times | Published | Florida 3rd District Court of Appeal | 10 Fla. L. Weekly 730

...e concluded, as it did, that the defendant Jones had a "sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding" and had a "rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against him." § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Reeves v. State, 987 So. 2d 103 (Fla. 5th DCA 2008).

Cited 2 times | Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 2008 WL 2386295

...ing — and whether he has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the proceedings against him." Hardy v. State, 716 So.2d 761, 764 (Fla. 1998) (quoting Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960)); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Hernandez-Alberto v. State, 126 So. 3d 193 (Fla. 2013).

Cited 2 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 2013 WL 3334919

...whether he has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the pending collateral proceedings.” Hardy v. State, 716 So.2d 761, 763 (Fla.1998) (quoting Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402 , 80 S.Ct. 788 , 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960)); see also § 916.12(1), Fla. Stat. (2010); Fla. R.Crim. P. 3.211(a)(1); Fla. R.Crim. P. 3.851(g)(8)(A). Section 916.12(3), Florida Statutes (2010), provides that an expert examining a defendant for competence to proceed shall consider the defendant’s capacity to appreciate the charges or allegations against him; appreciate the range and nature of pos...
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Horton v. Judd, 80 So. 3d 439 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012).

Cited 2 times | Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 2012 WL 556170, 2012 Fla. App. LEXIS 2672

...cedure 3.212(d). [1] We write to explain our reasoning in this instance. If there is an issue regarding a defendant's competency, at least two mental health experts must examine the defendant to determine whether he is competent to proceed to trial. § 916.12(2)....
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Miami-Dade Cnty. v. Jones, 793 So. 2d 902 (Fla. 2001).

Cited 2 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 26 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 533, 2001 Fla. LEXIS 1658, 2001 WL 950230

...In order for the experts to be paid for the services rendered, the reports and testimony must explicitly address each of the factors and follow the procedures set out in this chapter and in the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure. The nature and scope of the competency evaluation is outlined in the following provisions of section 916.12, Florida Statutes (2000)....
...First, both the statute and the rule have the same criteria for determining competency to proceed (i.e., whether the person has the sufficient present ability to consult with counsel and whether the person has a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings). Compare § 916.12(2), Fla....
...Second, the statute and rule overlap with respect to the relevant factors to be considered by the expert in making determinations and drafting reports (e.g., whether the person understands the adversarial nature of the process and whether he or she is able to disclose to counsel facts pertinent to the proceeding). Compare § 916.12(3), Fla....
...Finally, both the statute and the rule define the scope of the expert's report by delineating the same factors to be included in the report (i.e., the expert must report on the mental condition causing the incompetency, possible treatments, and the defendant's likelihood of attaining competence). Compare § 916.12(4), Fla....
...equires consideration of the same factors, and contains the same parameters for the expert's evaluative report. As a result, it would be difficult to find that the County, which is clearly responsible for competency evaluations conducted pursuant to section 916.12, is not similarly obligated for the expert witness fees incurred during competency evaluations authorized by rule 3.851(d), which are fundamentally designed to protect the identical interests recognized under the statutory provisions....
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State v. Miranda, 137 So. 3d 1133 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014).

Cited 2 times | Published | Florida 3rd District Court of Appeal | 2014 WL 1304724, 2014 Fla. App. LEXIS 4823

...While the defendant was incarcerated, he was evaluated by three psychologists, Dr. Gustavo Fonte, Dr. Elsa Marban, and Dr. Marie DeFeo, to determine whether the defendant was competent to proceed. In evaluating the defendant’s competency, each of the psychologists- considered the factors articulated in section 916.12(3)(a)-(f), Florida Statutes (2011), including whether the defendant had the capacity to: appreciate the charges or allegations; appreciate the range and nature of possible penalties; understand the adversarial nature of the legal proce...
...A defendant is incompetent to proceed if he “does not have sufficient present ability to consult with [his] lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if the defendant has no rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceeding against [him].” § 916.12(1) (pertaining to mentally ill defendants); § 916.3012(1) (pertaining to a “defendant whose suspected mental condition is retardation or autism”); see also Fla....
...e imposed in the proceedings against the defendant. (c) Understand the adversarial nature of the legal process. (d) Disclose to counsel facts pertinent to the proceedings at issue. (e) Manifest appropriate courtroom behavior. (f) Testify relevantly. § 916.12(3) (relating to mentally ill defendant); § 916.3012(3) (relating to defendants who are retarded or autistic); see also Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.211(a)(2) (2011) (relying on materially the same factors as set forth in sections 916.12(3) and 916.3012(3)). Further, the expert “shall consider and include in his or her report any other factor deemed relevant by the expert.” § 916.12(3) (relating to mentally ill defendants); § 916.3012(3) (relating to defendants who are retarded or autistic)....
...under the treatment [or training] recommended, an assessment of the probable duration of the treatment [or training] required to restore competence, and the probability that the defendant will attain competence to proceed in the foreseeable future. § 916.12(4) (emphasis added); § 916.3012(4) (emphasis added)....
...level.” Based on Dr. Fonte’s finding that the defendant was incompetent to proceed, the trial court appointed Drs. Marban and DeFeo, specifically directing them to determine whether the defendant met the criteria of incompetence to proceed under section 916.12, which only relates to mental illness....
...Rather, a defendant is incompetent to proceed only if he does not have the sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if the defendant has no rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against him. § 916.12(1); Fla....
...ry commitment. We, therefore, reverse the orders under review and remand for further evaluations of the defendant and the submission of reports *1141 that comply with the current version of Chapter 916 of the Florida Statutes, specifically, sections 916.12(4) and 916.3012(4)....
...from neglect or refuse to care for herself or himself and such neglect or refusal poses a real and present threat of substantial harm to the defendant’s well-being[J Section 916.13(l)(a)l. . The bracketed language reflects the differences between section 916.12(4) regarding treatment for mental illnesses and section 916.3012 regarding training for retardation (intellectual disability) or autism....
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Florida Dep't of Corr. v. Watts, 800 So. 2d 225 (Fla. 2001).

Cited 1 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 26 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 743, 2001 Fla. LEXIS 2264, 2001 WL 1380024

...etent to proceed and unable to assist collateral counsel. In addition, the trial court ordered that Watts be transferred and committed to CMHI. 3 The trial court found that Watts satisfied the criteria for involuntary hospitalization as set forth in section 916.12, Florida Statutes (1999), 4 and section 394.467(1), Florida *228 Statutes (1999), 5 also known as “The Baker Act.” The court instructed the administrator of CMHI to advise the court when Watts was restored to competency or no longer qualified for involuntary commitment....
....Chapter 916, entitled "Mentally Deficient and Mentally, Ill Defendants,” sets forth specific procedures for defendants found incompetent to proceed due to their mental illness. To be found mentally incompetent, the defendant must satisfy the criteria set forth in section 916.12, entitled "Mental competence to proceed,” which provides in pertinent part: *228 (1) A defendant is incompetent to proceed within the meaning of this chapter if the defendant does not have sufficient present ability to consult with h...
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Martinez v. State, 712 So. 2d 818 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998).

Cited 1 times | Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 1998 WL 374715

...The test for whether a defendant is competent to stand trial is "whether the defendant has sufficient present ability to consult with counsel with a reasonable degree of rational understanding and whether the defendant has a rational, as well as factual, understanding of the pending proceedings." See § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Manuel v. State, 162 So. 3d 1157 (Fla. 5th DCA 2015).

Cited 1 times | Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 2015 Fla. App. LEXIS 6001, 2015 WL 1851542

...t to Proceed and Request for Hearing.” In the motion, defense counsel asserted that “[t]he Office of the Public Defender is in the process of conducting confidential psychiatric evaluations. These evaluations will be conducted in compliance with section 916.12, Florida Statutes (2010) and Rule 3.211, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure.” One of the confidential experts privately retained by Manuel is Dr....
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STATE, DHRS v. Bentley, 617 So. 2d 368 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993).

Cited 1 times | Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 1993 WL 114774

...all proceedings under section 916.15. Id. at 411. The court concluded that both section 916.15 and rule 3.218 require a judicial hearing only if requested. Id. We see no good reason, and HRS has provided us none, to treat a defendant committed under 916.12 (as in the instant case) differently from a defendant committed under 916.15 (as in Johnson v....
...se of any person admitted pursuant to this chapter. This legislative intent of circuit court supervision is understandable since a defendant's incompetence to proceed to trial involves issues different from the concerns addressed in chapter 394. See § 916.12....
...order continued commitment or treatment for a period not to exceed one year. When the defendant is retained by the facility, the same procedure shall be repeated prior to the expiration of each additional one-year period of extended commitment. [3] Section 916.12(1) provides: (1) A person is incompetent to stand trial within the meaning of this chapter if he does not have sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if he has no rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against him....
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Douse v. Bradshaw, 938 So. 2d 579 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006).

Published | Florida 4th District Court of Appeal | 2006 Fla. App. LEXIS 15485, 2006 WL 2683113

...4th DCA 2006), with the same instructions contained in that opinion: We therefore grant the writ to the extent of requiring an immediate hearing for the trial judge to select the appropriate section 916.17(2) option. While it may be advisable to have defendant evaluated once again for competency under section 916.12(2), the previous evaluating doctors both opined that this defendant was in need of treatment available only through commitment....
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Leo L. Boatman v. State of Florida (Fla. 2024).

Published | Supreme Court of Florida

...filed the motion, attaching a report by Dr. Werner, who, at the request of defense counsel, evaluated Boatman for the stated purpose “of opining on competency to proceed.” In her report, Dr. Werner addressed the statutorily enumerated competence factors in section 916.12(3), Florida Statutes (2019)....
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Gonzalez v. State, 476 So. 2d 329 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1985).

Published | District Court of Appeal of Florida | 1985 Fla. App. LEXIS 16324

PER CURIAM. Affirmed. Mines v. State, 390 So.2d 332 (Fla.1980), cert. denied, 451 U.S. 916 , 101 S.Ct. 1994 , 68 L.Ed.2d 308 (1981); § 916.12(2), Fla.Stat....
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Sampson v. State, 88 So. 3d 209 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011).

Published | Florida 3rd District Court of Appeal | 2011 Fla. App. LEXIS 16152, 2011 WL 4809151

...if the defendant does not have sufficient present ability to consult with her or his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if the defendant has *211 no rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against her or him.” § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, Inc. v. Mertileine Genestant, 260 So. 3d 293 (Fla. 4th DCA 2018).

Published | Florida 4th District Court of Appeal

...(“BBHC”) seeks certiorari review of an order placing Mertileine Genestant, a criminal defendant, in the custody of BBHC’s contracted network provider, Broward Regional Health Planning Counsel, Inc. (“the provider”), for competency restoration services pursuant to section 916.12, Florida Statutes (2017)....
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In Re: Amendments to Florida Rules of Crim. Procedure - 2023 Legislation (Fla. 2023).

Published | Supreme Court of Florida

...(Competence to Proceed: Scope of Examination and Report), 3.212 (Competence to Proceed: Hearing and Disposition), 3.704 (The Criminal Punishment Code), and 3.992 (Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet). 1 The amendments reflect changes to sections 916.12, 916.13, 921.0024, and 775.0823, Florida Statutes, made by 1....
...Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure as proposed by the Committee, with slight modification. The more significant revisions are discussed below. First, subdivisions (b) and (c) of rule 3.211 are amended with language from the statutory changes to section 916.12(4)(b) and (c), Florida Statutes....
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Barry A. Noetzel v. State of Florida (Fla. 2021).

Published | Supreme Court of Florida

...However, the Florida Statutes and this Court’s procedural rules governing the appointment of experts to evaluate competency address mental competence to proceed and require experts to detail specific findings regarding the defendant’s mental capacity—findings that were made by the expert in this case. See § 916.12, Fla....
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DCF v. Kamaluddin, 240 So. 3d 844 (Fla. 5th DCA 2018).

Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal

...refuse to care for herself or himself and such neglect or refusal poses a real and present threat of substantial harm to the defendant’s well-being; or 1 §§ 784.03(1)(a), 784.08(2)(c), Fla. Stat. (2017). 2 Section 916.12(2), Florida Statutes (2017), provides that a defendant “must be evaluated by no fewer than two experts before the court commits the defendant ....
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Baranko v. State, 428 So. 2d 324 (Fla. 4th DCA 1983).

Published | Florida 4th District Court of Appeal | 1983 Fla. App. LEXIS 18905

standard of insanity to preclude sentencing. Section 916.12(1), Florida Statutes (1981), provides: A person
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In Re Amendments to Rules of Juv. Procedure, 952 So. 2d 517 (Fla. 2007).

Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 32 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 99, 2007 Fla. LEXIS 434, 2007 WL 763718

...The seven most common psychotic disorders are schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, psychotic depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. Id. There is no definition of psychotropic medication in chapter 39, Florida Statutes. But see § 916.12(5), Fla....
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State of Florida v. Charles Morris (Fla. 4th DCA 2020).

Published | Florida 4th District Court of Appeal

...Bock Laundry Machine Company and find that ‘[w]e are confronted here with a statute which, if interpreted literally, produces an absurd . . . result.’ 490 U.S. 504, 527 (1989) (Scalia, J., concurring) . . . .”). The purpose of requiring a defendant to undergo treatment is to restore competency. See § 916.12(4), Fla. Stat. (2019); Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.212(c). Section 916.12(4) states, “If an expert finds that the defendant is incompetent to proceed, the expert shall report on any recommended treatment for the defendant to attain competence to proceed.” (emphasis added)....
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Sally v. State, 489 So. 2d 210 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1986).

Published | District Court of Appeal of Florida | 1986 Fla. App. LEXIS 8154, 11 Fla. L. Weekly 1255

...The central basis for the motion was that the defendant was under the influence of a psychotropic drug during the trial. Even if true, this could form no basis for a reasonable belief that the defendant was mentally incompetent to stand trial. See § 916.12, Fla.Stat....
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Thomas v. State, 93 So. 3d 404 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012).

Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 2012 WL 2471318, 2012 Fla. App. LEXIS 10580

incompetent to proceed within the meaning of section 916.12(1), the trial court, under section 916.115(1)
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Miller v. State, 194 So. 3d 545 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016).

Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 9525, 2016 WL 3421533

...Miller's pleas to specified periods of probation and scheduled a sentencing hearing to be held thirty days later. However, between the time of the plea agreement and sentencing, Mr. Miller (for reasons not entirely clear from the record) fell into a lengthy period of legal incompetence. See § 916.12, Fla....
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ALI MARINO v. STATE OF FLORIDA & GREGORY TONY, as Sheriff of Broward Cnty. (Fla. 4th DCA 2019).

Published | Florida 4th District Court of Appeal

...adequate mechanism to monitor the defendant’s condition. 1 1 The competency statutes and rules are designed to assist courts in this regard. Mental health experts are required to report on any recommended treatment and the availability of treatment in different settings. See § 916.12(4), Fla....
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Quawn M. Franklin v. State of Florida, 137 So. 3d 969 (Fla. 2014).

Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 2014 WL 148578

...rational understanding—and whether he has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the pending collateral proceedings.” Alston v. State, 894 So. 2d 46, 54 (Fla. 2004) (quoting Hardy v. State, 716 So. 2d 761, 763 (Fla. 1998)); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Quawn M. Franklin v. Michael D. Crews, etc. (Fla. 2014).

Published | Supreme Court of Florida

...rational understanding—and whether he has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the pending collateral proceedings.” Alston v. State, 894 So. 2d 46, 54 (Fla. 2004) (quoting Hardy v. State, 716 So. 2d 761, 763 (Fla. 1998)); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Dep't of Child. & Families v. State of Florida & William Elvey (Fla. 5th DCA 2024).

Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal

...B. Part II of Chapter 916, Florida Statutes, governs forensic services for those who are mentally ill. As applied to the case sub judice, first the trial court was required to determine if Elvey was incompetent to proceed. As defined by section 916.12, he would be incompetent to proceed if he “does not have sufficient present ability to consult with . . . his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if [he] has no rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against . . . him.” See § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Gatlin v. State, 79 So. 3d 202 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012).

Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 2012 WL 413808, 2012 Fla. App. LEXIS 1943

...to be inappropriate.” See § 916.13(l)(b), Fla. Stat. (2011). If there is an issue regarding a defendant’s competency, at least two mental health experts must examine the defendant to determine whether he or she is competent to proceed to trial. § 916.12(2)....
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Dep't of Child. & Families v. Rodriguez, 267 So. 3d 1087 (Fla. 5th DCA 2019).

Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal

properly ordered an evaluation pursuant to section 916.12, Florida Statutes (2018), and Florida Rule
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Dep't of Child. & Families v. Rodriguez, 267 So. 3d 1087 (Fla. 5th DCA 2019).

Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal

properly ordered an evaluation pursuant to section 916.12, Florida Statutes (2018), and Florida Rule
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Christopher Schofield v. Grady C. Judd, Sheriff of Polk Cnty., 268 So. 3d 890 (Fla. 2d DCA 2019).

Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

...Schofield has requested, we need not consider his alternative petition for certiorari and dismiss it as moot. 7 proceeded against while incompetent."). Florida statutes now codify the substantive inquiries that underlie a competency determination. See generally § 916.12. Florida statutes also provide a mechanism through which an incompetent defendant may be committed and provided treatment for the purpose of restoring his or her competency....
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Rodriguez v. State, 112 So. 3d 618 (Fla. 3d DCA 2013).

Published | Florida 3rd District Court of Appeal | 2013 WL 1748834, 2013 Fla. App. LEXIS 6571

...as well as [a] factual understanding of the proceedings against him.” Hardy v. State, 716 So.2d 761, 763 (Fla.1998) (quoting Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402 , 80 S.Ct. 788 , 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960)); Muhammad v. State, 494 So.2d 969 (Fla.1986); § 916.12(1), Fla....
...cent competency evaluation in the record, were facts sufficient to create reasonable grounds to question whether the defendant was competent to stand trial. See Muhammad, 494 So.2d at 973 ; Sampson v. State, 88 So.3d 209 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
...s expressed concerns corn- *620 bined to create reasonable grounds to require the trial court to conduct a competency hearing after ordering and receiving a new competency evaluation. See Brockman v. State, 852 So.2d 330 (Fla. 2d DCA 2003); see also § 916.12(1), Fla....
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Robert L. Rumph v. State, 217 So. 3d 1092 (Fla. 5th DCA 2017).

Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 2017 WL 1372097, 2017 Fla. App. LEXIS 5110

...degree of rational understanding—and whether he has a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him.'" Peede v. State, 955 So. 2d 480, 488 (Fla. 2007) (quoting Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402 (1960)); accord § 916.12(1), Fla....

This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, Esq., a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.