Ind. Code ch. 35-36-12

in effect

Ind. Code § 35-36-12-1 Court appointment of forensic advocate

Sec. 1. A court may appoint a court appointed forensic advocate at any time to assist a person with an intellectual disability, a developmental disability, or an autism spectrum disorder who has been charged with a criminal offense. As added by P.L.187-2015, SEC.46.

Ind. Code § 35-36-12-2 Court appointed forensic advocate duties

Sec. 2. A court appointed forensic advocate shall assist the person with an intellectual disability, a developmental disability, or an autism spectrum disorder to whom the advocate has been appointed. As added by P.L.187-2015, SEC.46.

Ind. Code § 35-36-12-3 Court appointed forensic advocate recommendations

Sec. 3. A court appointed forensic advocate may recommend to the court treatment programs and other services that may reduce recidivism and are available to the person with an intellectual disability, a developmental disability, or an autism spectrum disorder. As added by P.L.187-2015, SEC.46.

Ind. Code § 35-36-12-4 Court appointed forensic advocate term of service

Sec. 4. A court appointed forensic advocate serves until the court enters an order for removal. As added by P.L.187-2015, SEC.46.

Ind. Code § 35-36-12-5 Court appointed forensic advocate an officer of the court

Sec. 5. The court appointed forensic advocate is considered an officer of the court for the purpose of assisting the person with an intellectual disability, a developmental disability, or an autism spectrum disorder. As added by P.L.187-2015, SEC.46.

Ind. Code § 35-36-12-6 Court appointed special advocate assistance

Sec. 6. A court appointed forensic advocate appointed by a court under this chapter may continue to assist the person with an intellectual disability, a developmental disability, or an autism spectrum disorder while the person is undergoing treatment or serving the person's sentence, if applicable. As added by P.L.187-2015, SEC.46.

Ind. Code § 35-36-12-7 Immunity from civil liability

Sec. 7. Except for gross misconduct: (1) a court appointed forensic advocate; (2) an employee of a county court appointed forensic advocate program; and (3) a volunteer for a court appointed forensic advocate program; who performs in good faith duties relating to assistance of a person with an intellectual disability, a developmental disability, or an autism spectrum disorder is immune from any civil liability that may occur as a result of that person's performance. As added by P.L.187-2015, SEC.46.

Ind. Code § 35-36-12-8 User fee

Sec. 8. The court may order the person assisted by the court appointed forensic advocate to pay a user fee to the: (1) court appointed forensic advocate program; or (2) individual who served as a court appointed forensic advocate; for the services provided under this chapter. As added by P.L.187-2015, SEC.46.

Ind. Code § 35-36-12-9 User fee collection

Sec. 9. The court shall establish one (1) of the following procedures to be used to collect the user fee: (1) The court may order the person with an intellectual disability, a developmental disability, or an autism spectrum disorder to pay the user fee to the court appointed forensic advocate program that provided the services. (2) The court may order the person with an intellectual disability, a developmental disability, or an autism spectrum disorder to pay the user fee to the individual court appointed forensic advocate that provided the services. As added by P.L.187-2015, SEC.46.

Ind. Code § 35-36-12-10 Receipt of user fee payment

Sec. 10. If the court orders the person with an intellectual disability, a developmental disability, or an autism spectrum disorder to pay a user fee under this chapter, the program or the individual shall report to the court the receipt of payment not later than thirty (30) days after receiving the payment. As added by P.L.187-2015, SEC.46.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/35Fetched: 10/17/2026