Inquiry under this chapter if person convicted of offense

§ 21–1115. Inquiry under this chapter if person convicted of offense (a) On the conviction by a court of record of competent jurisdiction of a person of an offense, or of a violation of an ordinance which is in whole or in part a violation of a statute of the District of Columbia. the court, when satisfied on the testimony of a physician or a psychologist or other evidence that the person is feeble-minded within the meaning of this chapter, may suspend sentence, or suspend the entering of an order sending the person to a jail, prison, or reformatory, or to a training or industrial school, and direct that a petition be filed pursuant to this chapter. (b) When the court directs a petition to be filed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, it may order that, pending the preparation, filing and hearing of the petition, the person be detained in a place of safety, or be placed under the guardianship of a suitable person, if that person enters into a recognizance for his appearance. (c) Where, upon the hearing of a petition filed pursuant to this section or pursuant to a subsequent hearing under this chapter, the person is found not to be feeble-minded, the court shall impose sentence.