People v. Quiroz

Opinion

NICHOLSON, J.

In this appeal, we determine whether a trial court has jurisdiction to convene a competency hearing after a state hospital certifies that a defendant, who has been involuntarily confined for three years due to incompetence to stand trial, is not likely to regain competency. We conclude the relevant statutory scheme does not authorize a trial court to hold such a competency hearing. As a result, we hold the trial court in this matter exceeded its jurisdiction when it held a competency hearing for defendant after the state hospital determined he was not likely to regain…