46-4-201. Inquest -- definition -- when held -- how conducted. (1) An inquest is a formal inquiry into the causes of and circumstances surrounding the death of a person and is conducted by the coroner before a coroner's jury.

(2) The coroner may hold an inquest only if requested to do so by the county attorney of the county in which death occurred or by the county attorney of the county in which the acts or events causing death occurred. However, the county attorney shall order the coroner to hold an inquest if the death of a person occurs:

(a) in a prison, jail, or other correctional facility and is not caused by the terminal condition, as defined in 50-9-102, of, or the execution of a death penalty upon, the person while the person is incarcerated in the prison, jail, or other correctional facility because of conviction of a criminal offense. This subsection (2)(a) applies to a death caused by a terminal condition only if the person was under medical care at the time of death.

(b) while a person is being taken into custody or is in the custody of a peace officer or if the death is caused by a peace officer, except when criminal charges have been or will be filed.

(3) If an inquest is held, the proceedings are public. The coroner shall conduct the inquest with the aid and assistance of the county attorney. The coroner shall, and the county attorney may, examine each witness, after which the witness may be examined by the jurors. The inquest must be held in accordance with this part.

(4) (a) A coroner who also serves as a peace officer may not conduct an inquest into the death of a person who:

(i) died in a prison, jail, or other correctional facility;

(ii) died while in the custody of a peace officer; or

(iii) was killed by a peace officer.

(b) If a coroner is disqualified under subsection (4)(a), the county attorney shall request a qualified coroner of a neighboring county to conduct the inquest. The expenses of a coroner fulfilling the request, including salary, must be paid by the requesting county.

History: Ap. p. Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1967; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 250, L. 1975; Sec. 95-803, R.C.M. 1947; Ap. p. Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1967; Sec. 95-809, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 95-803(part), 95-809; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 343, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 660, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 478, L. 1997.