RULE 3.215.   EFFECT OF ADJUDICATION OF INCOMPETENCY TO PROCEED: PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION

(a)    Former Jeopardy. If the defendant is declared incompetent to stand trial during trial and afterwards declared competent to stand trial, the defendant’s other uncompleted trial shall not constitute former jeopardy.

(b)    Limited Application of Incompetency Adjudication. An adjudication of incompetency to proceed shall not operate as an adjudication of incompetency to consent to medical treatment or for any other purpose unless such other adjudication is specifically set forth in the order.

(c)    Psychotropic Medication. A defendant who, because of psychotropic medication, is able to understand the proceedings and to assist in the defense shall not automatically be deemed incompetent to proceed simply because the defendant’s satisfactory mental condition is dependent on such medication, nor shall the defendant be prohibited from proceeding solely because the defendant is being administered medication under medical supervision for a mental or emotional condition.

(1)    Psychotropic medication is any drug or compound affecting the mind, behavior, intellectual functions, perception, moods, or emotion and includes anti-psychotic, anti-depressant, anti-manic, and anti-anxiety drugs.

(2)    If the defendant proceeds to trial with the aid of medication for a mental or emotional condition, on the motion 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.


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