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HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 6Pt. 2Ch. 2Art. 2§ 6502 Developmental Disability Commitment Petition

§ 6502 Developmental Disability Commitment Petition

Welfare and Institutions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 6502 Developmental Disability Commitment Petition

Key Takeaways

  • •If someone with a developmental disability can't stand trial for a serious crime, a petition can be filed to get them help from the state.
  • •The petition can be filed in the county where they were found incompetent to stand trial or where they are currently located.
  • •Family members, probation officers, or other authorized people can ask for this petition to be filed.
  • •The person asking must explain why they think the person needs this help and swear it's true.

Example

A person with a developmental disability is accused of a serious crime but is found unable to understand the trial.

Their parent or guardian can ask the court to send them to a state program for help instead of jail. This request must be made in the county where the trial was supposed to happen or where the person is now.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 6502 Developmental Disability Commitment Petition

A petition for the commitment of a person with a developmental disability to the State Department of Developmental Services who has been found incompetent to stand trial pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1367) of Title 10 of Part 2 of the Penal Code when the defendant has been charged with one or more of the offenses identified or described in Section 6500, may be filed in the superior court of the county that determined the question of mental competence of the defendant. All other petitions may be filed in the county in which that person is physically present. A petition for the commitment of a person with a developmental disability to the State Department of Developmental Services who is in acute crisis, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 4418.7, may be filed in the superior court of the county that determined the question of acute crisis or the county in which the acute crisis home is located. The following persons may request the person authorized to present allegations pursuant to Section 6500 to file a petition for commitment: (a) The parent, guardian, conservator, or other person charged with the support of the person with a developmental disability. (b) The probation officer. (c) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Justice. (d) Any person designated for that purpose by the judge of the court. (e) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (f) The regional center director or the director’s designee. The request shall state the petitioner’s reasons for supposing the person to be eligible for admission thereto, and shall be verified by affidavit. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 76, Sec. 55. (AB 136) Effective July 16, 2021.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

disabilitypetitionprobationacute crisiscrimehealthemergencytrial

Related Statutes

  • § 6509 Developmental Disability Commitment Orders
  • § 6512 Developmental Disability Court Proceedings
  • § 224.71 Youth Rights In Juvenile Facilities
  • § 229.5 Juvenile Group Home Oversight
  • § 235 Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Councils

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 6502.
View Official Source