Mental Evaluation Law and Legal Definition
Mental evaluations are examinations of an individual’s mental state and capacity performed by a qualified expert. Mental examinations are sometimes performed on persons accused of offenses relating to sexual abnormality.
The following is an example of a State Statute (Virginia) on mental examination:
Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-300. Deferring for mental examination sentence of person convicted of offense indicating sexual abnormality
In the case of the conviction in any circuit court of any person for any criminal offense which indicates sexual abnormality, the trial judge may on his own initiative, or shall upon application of the attorney for the Commonwealth, the defendant, or counsel for defendant or other person acting for the defendant, defer sentence until the report of a mental examination conducted as provided in § 19.2-301 of the defendant can be secured to guide the judge in determining what disposition shall be made of the defendant.
Legal Definition list
Related Legal Terms
- Abuses of Governmental Power Identified Under “Watergate”
- Action Levels (Environmental Law)
- Administration on Developmental Disabilities
- Advertising Evaluation of Results
- Agency or Instrumentality of a Foreign State
- Alaska Mental Health Enabling Act
- Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Applicable Environmental Requirements
- Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs [Department of State]
- Center for Mental Health Services
