Delaware § 402 - Rules to prescribe procedures for psychiatric examination; testimony of psychiatrist or other expert.

§ 402. Rules to prescribe procedures for psychiatric examination; testimony of psychiatrist or other expert.

(a) The procedures for examination of the accused by the accused’s own psychiatrist or by a psychiatrist employed by the State and the circumstances under which such an examination will be permitted may be prescribed by rules of the court having jurisdiction over the offense.

(b) A psychiatrist or other expert testifying at trial concerning the mental condition of the accused shall be permitted to make a statement as to the nature of the examination, the psychiatrist’s or expert’s diagnosis of the mental condition of the accused at the time of the commission of the offense charged and the psychiatrist’s or expert’s opinion as to the extent, if any, to which the capacity of the accused to appreciate the wrongfulness of the accused’s conduct or to choose whether the accused would do the act or refrain from doing it or to have a particular state of mind which is an element of the offense charged was impaired as a result of mental illness or serious mental disorder at that time. The psychiatrist or expert shall be permitted to make any explanation reasonably serving to clarify the diagnosis and opinion and may be cross-examined as to any matter bearing on the psychiatrist’s or expert’s competence or credibility or the validity of the diagnosis or opinion.

11 Del. C. 1953, §  402;  58 Del. Laws, c. 497, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 224, §  4;