Sec 36-546. Judicial review; right to be informed; request; jurisdiction

A. In addition to the procedure for applying for a writ of habeas corpus, as provided in title 13, chapter 38, article 26, a patient receiving court-ordered treatment or any person acting on the patient's behalf may request the patient's release pursuant to the following:

1. A request in writing may be presented to any member of the treatment staff of the agency providing the patient's treatment. The request may be made on a prescribed form that shall be prepared by the facility and made available for use by any person. The completed form shall identify:

(a) The patient being treated and the agency at which the patient is being treated.

(b) The person to whom the request for release was made.

(c) The person making the request for release, indicating whether the person is the patient being treated or someone acting on the person's behalf.

2. The request, when signed and dated by the person making the request for release, shall be delivered to the medical director of the agency. Within three days of receipt of the request, the medical director shall deliver the form, along with a current psychiatric report of the patient's condition, to the clerk of the court. If the person presenting the request refuses to sign the form, the medical director of the agency shall proceed as if the form had been signed and shall note on the form the circumstances as to why the form was not signed.

B. The patient shall be informed of the patient's right to judicial review by the medical director of the agency and the patient's right to consult with counsel at least once each sixty days while the patient is undergoing court-ordered treatment. The notification required by this subsection shall be recorded in the clinical record of the patient by the individual who gave the notice.

C. With the exception of requests made pursuant to section 36-540, subsection E, paragraphs 4 and 5 and section 36-540.01, subsection J for judicial review, a request for judicial review may not be made sooner than sixty days after the issuance of the order for treatment or a hearing on a previous petition for habeas corpus or the issuance of the court order or other final resolution determining a previous request for judicial review by the patient.

D. Judicial review shall be in the superior court in the county in which the patient is being treated. That court may review the additional material presented and enter its order without necessity of further hearing.

E. The reviewing court may order a further hearing on the affidavit of the attorney for the patient setting forth the need for further evidentiary hearing and the reasons why the hearing is necessary before the time set for the release of the patient.

F. The patient shall be informed of the patient's right to consult an attorney by the person or court to whom the patient makes the request for release at the time the patient makes the request and, in the case of confinement in an agency, by the reviewing court within one day of its receipt of notice from the medical director of the agency where the patient is being treated. The patient shall be permitted to consult an attorney to assist in preparation of a petition for the writ of habeas corpus and to represent the patient in the hearing. If the patient is not represented by an attorney, the reviewing court, within two days of its notice to the patient of the patient's right to counsel, shall appoint an attorney to assist the patient in the preparation of a petition and to represent the patient in the hearing.

G. The medical director of the mental health treatment agency, at least twenty-four hours before the hearing, shall provide the patient's attorney with a copy of the patient's medical records.

H. The patient's attorney shall fulfill all of the following minimal duties:

1. Within twenty-four hours of appointment, conduct an interview with the patient.

2. At least twenty-four hours before the hearing, interview the patient's treatment physician or psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner if available.

3. Before the hearing, examine the clinical record of the patient.

4. Before the hearing, examine the patient's court records as to the patient's involuntary treatment.

I. An attorney who does not fulfill the duties prescribed by subsection H of this section is subject to contempt of court.