Tex. Fam. Code Section 55.32
Hearing on Issue of Fitness to Proceed

(a)

If the juvenile court determines that evidence exists to support a finding that a child is unfit to proceed as a result of mental illness or an intellectual disability, the court shall set the case for a hearing on that issue.

(b)

The issue of whether the child is unfit to proceed as a result of mental illness or an intellectual disability shall be determined at a hearing separate from any other hearing.

(c)

The court shall determine the issue of whether the child is unfit to proceed unless the child or the attorney for the child demands a jury before the 10th day before the date of the hearing.

(d)

Unfitness to proceed as a result of mental illness or an intellectual disability must be proved by a preponderance of the evidence.

(e)

If the court or jury determines that the child is fit to proceed, the juvenile court shall continue with proceedings under this title as though no question of fitness to proceed had been raised.

(f)

If the court or jury determines that the child is unfit to proceed as a result of mental illness or an intellectual disability, the court shall:

(1)

stay the juvenile court proceedings for as long as that incapacity endures; and

(2)

proceed under Section 55.33 (Proceedings Following Finding of Unfitness to Proceed).

(g)

The fact that the child is unfit to proceed as a result of mental illness or an intellectual disability does not preclude any legal objection to the juvenile court proceedings which is susceptible of fair determination prior to the adjudication hearing and without the personal participation of the child.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1460, ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1973. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 47, eff. May 31, 1995. Redesignated from Family Code Sec. 55.04(c) to (f) and (h) and amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1477, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.007, eff. April 2, 2015.

Source: Section 55.32 — Hearing on Issue of Fitness to Proceed, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.­55.­htm#55.­32 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

55.01
Definitions 55.02
Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Jurisdiction 55.03
Standards of Care 55.04
Forensic Mental Examination 55.05
Criteria for Court-ordered Mental Health Services for Child 55.06
Criteria for Court-ordered Residential Intellectual Disability Services for Child 55.11
Mental Illness Determination 55.12
Initiation of Proceedings for Court-ordered Mental Health Services 55.15
Standards of Care 55.16
Order for Mental Health Services 55.17
Mental Health Services Not Ordered 55.31
Unfitness to Proceed Determination 55.32
Hearing on Issue of Fitness to Proceed 55.33
Proceedings Following Finding of Unfitness to Proceed 55.34
Transportation to and from Facility 55.35
Information Required to Be Sent to Facility or Alternative Setting 55.36
Report that Child Is Fit to Proceed 55.37
Report that Child Is Unfit to Proceed as a Result of Mental Illness 55.40
Report that Child Is Unfit to Proceed as a Result of Intellectual Disability 55.43
Restoration Hearing 55.45
Standards of Care 55.51
Lack of Responsibility for Conduct Determination 55.52
Proceedings Following Finding of Lack of Responsibility for Conduct 55.53
Transportation to and from Facility 55.54
Information Required to Be Sent to Facility or Alternative Setting 55.55
Report that Child Does Not Have Mental Illness or Intellectual Disability 55.56
Report that Child Has Mental Illness 55.59
Report that Child Has Intellectual Disability 55.65
Proceedings in Juvenile Court for Child with Mental Illness 55.66
Proceedings in Juvenile Court for Child Found Unfit to Proceed or Lacking Responsibility for Conduct Due to Mental Illness 55.67
Proceedings in Juvenile Court for Child Found Unfit to Proceed or Lacking Responsibility for Conduct Due to Intellectual Disability 55.68
Referral for Proceedings for Child with Mental Illness or Child Found Unfit to Proceed or Lacking Responsibility for Conduct Due to Mental Illness or Intellectual Disability
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Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 55.32’s source at texas​.gov