Texas Health and Safety Code 841.204 – Rights of Committed Person
Terms Used In Texas Health and Safety Code 841.204
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Written: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures. See Texas Government Code 311.005
A committed person for whom an application under § 841.203 is filed is entitled to:
(1) representation by a court-appointed attorney who is knowledgeable about issues to be adjudicated at the hearing;
(2) meet with that attorney as soon as is practicable to prepare for the hearing and to discuss any of the committed person’s questions or concerns;
(3) receive, immediately after the time of the hearing is set, a copy of the application and written notice of the time, place, and date of the hearing;
(4) be told, at the time personal notice of the hearing is given, of the committed person’s right to a hearing and right to the assistance of an attorney to prepare for the hearing and to answer any questions or concerns;
(5) be present at the hearing;
(6) request from the court an independent expert; and
(7) be notified orally, at the conclusion of the hearing, of the court’s determinations of the committed person’s capacity and best interests.