Sec 36-529. Order for evaluation; order for detention; hearing  


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  • A. If, from the review of the petition for evaluation, the court does not determine that the proposed patient is likely to present a danger to self or others or further deteriorate prior to his hearing on court-ordered treatment, but determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that the proposed patient is, as a result of a mental disorder, a danger to self or others, has a persistent or acute disability or a grave disability, the court shall issue an order directing the proposed patient to submit to an evaluation at a designated time and place, specifying that the evaluation will take place on an inpatient or an outpatient basis. The court may also order that if the person does not or cannot so submit, that he be taken into custody by a police officer and delivered to an evaluation agency. If the court makes such a conditional order, it shall also make a conditional appointment of counsel for the person to become effective when and if the person is taken into custody pursuant to this section.

    B. If, from review of the petition for evaluation, there is reasonable cause to believe that the proposed patient is, as a result of a mental disorder, a danger to self or others, has a persistent or acute disability or a grave disability and that the person requires immediate or continued hospitalization prior to his hearing on court-ordered treatment, the court shall order the proposed patient taken into custody and evaluated at an evaluation agency. The court shall promptly appoint counsel for the proposed patient. If an intercounty agreement authorizes the same, the court may order that the evaluation be conducted in another county, and the superior court in the county where the evaluation is conducted shall have concurrent jurisdiction to make appropriate orders concerning the proposed patient.

    C. If the person is not taken into custody or if the evaluation pursuant to the order of the court under subsection A or B is not initiated within fourteen days from the date of the order, the order and petition for evaluation shall expire.

    D. If the person is involuntarily hospitalized, the person shall be informed by his appointed attorney of his rights to a hearing to determine whether he should be involuntarily hospitalized for evaluation and to be represented at the hearing by an attorney. If the patient requests a hearing to determine whether he should be involuntarily hospitalized during evaluation, the court shall schedule a hearing at its first opportunity.