Ariz. Rev. Stat. » Title 13
Arizona Revised Statutes

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-4502 (2026)

Effect of incompetency

✓ text as last checked Oct. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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A. A person shall not be tried, convicted, sentenced or punished for an offense if the court determines that the person is incompetent to stand trial.

B. The prosecutor or defense attorney may file any pretrial motion at any time while the defendant is incompetent to stand trial. The court shall hear and decide any issue presented by the motion if the defendant's presence is not essential for a fair hearing as determined by the court.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 2012–2025 · leading case: Cecilia A. v. Arizona Dep't of Econ. Sec., 274 P.3d 1220 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2012).
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Cecilia A. v. Arizona Dep't of Econ. Sec., 274 P.3d 1220 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “, which governs termination of parental rights, does not require that a mentally incompetent parent be restored to competency before the court proceeds with a severance hearing. Indeed, the legislature evidenced an intention to proceed with a severance proceeding even when a…”
Joel Carson v. Hon. gentry/state, 574 P.3d 205 (Ariz. 2025). · cites it 4× “Therefore, under § 13-4517(A)(3) and Rule 11.5(b)(3)(iii), courts may dismiss charges without prejudice upon deeming a defendant NCNR, consistent with due process concerns.”
John Fitzgerald v. Hon. myers/state ex rel. Brnovich, 402 P.3d 442 (Ariz. 2017). · cites it 2× “R.S. § 13-4502(A) (stating that “[a] person shall not be tried, convicted, sentenced or punished for an offense if the court determines that the person is incompetent to stand trial”); A.”
Johnson v. Hon hartsell/state, 525 P.3d 1091 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 4× “After the State criminally charges a defendant, either party or the court can request that the defendant’s competency to stand trial be evaluated. A.R.S. § 13-4503(A); Ariz. R. Crim. P.”
State v. Tepper, No. 1 CA-CR 16-0294 (Ariz. Ct. App. June 15, 2017). · cites it 2× “” A.R.S. § 13-4502 (2010); see Ariz. R. Crim.”
State v. Sills, No. 1 CA-CR 23-0184-PRPC (Ariz. Ct. App. Mar. 12, 2024). · cites it 2× “A defendant is incompetent to stand trial if "as a result of a mental illness, defect or disability [the] defendant is unable to understand the nature and object of the proceeding or to assist in the defendant's defense.”
State v. Hon lemaire/carson, 255 Ariz. 544 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “§ 13-4502(A) (“A person shall not be tried, convicted, sentenced or punished for an offense if the court determines that the person is incompetent to stand trial.”
Patricia Adams v. Hon. Brenden Griffin City Prosecutor's Off., 540 P.3d 1221 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2023). “The court may request the assistance of a mental health expert to determine if reasonable grounds for an examination exist.”
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-4502(A): 5 cases
Joel Carson v. Hon. gentry/state, 574 P.3d 205 (Ariz. 2025). “Therefore, under § 13-4517(A)(3) and Rule 11.5(b)(3)(iii), courts may dismiss charges without prejudice upon deeming a defendant NCNR, consistent with due process concerns.”
John Fitzgerald v. Hon. myers/state ex rel. Brnovich, 402 P.3d 442 (Ariz. 2017). “R.S. § 13-4502(A) (stating that “[a] person shall not be tried, convicted, sentenced or punished for an offense if the court determines that the person is incompetent to stand trial”); A.”
Johnson v. Hon hartsell/state, 525 P.3d 1091 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2023). “After the State criminally charges a defendant, either party or the court can request that the defendant’s competency to stand trial be evaluated. A.R.S. § 13-4503(A); Ariz. R. Crim. P.”
State v. Sills, No. 1 CA-CR 23-0184-PRPC (Ariz. Ct. App. Mar. 12, 2024). “A defendant is incompetent to stand trial if "as a result of a mental illness, defect or disability [the] defendant is unable to understand the nature and object of the proceeding or to assist in the defendant's defense.”
State v. Hon lemaire/carson, 255 Ariz. 544 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2023). “§ 13-4502(A) (“A person shall not be tried, convicted, sentenced or punished for an offense if the court determines that the person is incompetent to stand trial.”
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