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Psychological/Psychiatric Examiner Services Program

The State Court Administrator’s (SCA) Psychological/Psychiatric Examiner Services Program (Program) maintains a Roster of  Examiners to provide district courts with access to qualified psychiatric or psychological examiners for appointment in civil commitment proceedings and criminal competency as outlined in Minnesota Statute sections 611.40-59 and Minn. R. Crim. P. Rule 20. Examiners listed on the Roster are licensed physicians or psychologists, meet the definition of a court examiner according to Minn. Stat. 253B.02 Subd.4d, and agree to comply with SCA Psychological/Psychiatric Examiner Services Policies. The Psych Examiner Services Program staff provide technical support for statewide policies and the Roster of Examiners.

Overview

Program Overview

The Minnesota Judicial Branch is responsible for the cost of psychological or psychiatric examinations in civil commitment and criminal proceedings as mandated in Minn. Stat. § 480.182.
 
Civil commitment is a legal process that allows the state to order a proposed patient into treatment even if the person objects. Because the process drastically impacts a person’s rights, it is only used in narrowly defined circumstances. Minnesota’s procedures for civil commitment are contained in chapter 253B of Minnesota’s Statutes. As part of the commitment process, an examiner must be appointed by the court. The proposed patient may also request a second examiner. The examiner submits a report to the court that offers an opinion whether civil commitment of the proposed patient is appropriate.

Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §§ 611.40-59 and Minn. R. Crim. P. Rule 20, competency evaluations occur in criminal cases when there is a concern raised that a defendant may not be competent to proceed with the case or was not responsible at the time of the alleged offense because of mental illness or developmental disability.
 

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Room G25
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25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

(651) 297-7651

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