(a) At the hearing for a 30-day commitment required under Alaska Stat. § 47.37.190(b), the court shall hear all relevant testimony, including, if possible, the testimony of at least one person who has examined the person whose commitment is sought under Alaska Stat. § 47.37.180(b) or 47.37.190(a). The person whose commitment is sought shall be present unless the court believes that being present is likely to be injurious to the person, in which case the court may conduct the hearing telephonically. The court may examine the person in open court, or, if advisable, examine the person out of court. If the person has refused to be examined under Alaska Stat. § 47.37.180(b) or 47.37.190(a), the person shall be given an opportunity to request examination by a court-appointed licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse. If the person fails to request a medical examination and there is sufficient evidence to believe that the allegations of the petition are true, or, if the court believes that more medical evidence is necessary, the court may issue a temporary order committing the person to a private or public facility for a period of not more than five days for purposes of a diagnostic examination.
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Terms Used In Alaska Statutes 47.37.200

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • person: includes a corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, organization, business trust, or society, as well as a natural person. See Alaska Statutes 01.10.060
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.
(b) If after hearing all relevant evidence, including the results of any diagnostic examination by the private or public facility, the court finds that grounds for involuntary commitment have been clearly established, the court shall issue an order of 30-day commitment to the private or public facility.
(c) A person committed for a 30-day period shall remain in the custody of a private or public facility for treatment for a period of not more than 30 days. At the end of the 30-day period, the person shall be automatically discharged unless the director of the approved public facility or approved private facility, before the expiration of the period, files a petition for recommitment under Alaska Stat. § 47.37.205.
(d) A private or public facility must be capable of providing adequate and appropriate treatment for a person in its custody. A public facility may transfer a person in its custody from one approved public treatment facility to another if the transfer is medically advisable.
(e) A person committed to the custody of an approved public facility or an approved private facility shall be discharged at any time before the end of the period for which the person has been committed if either of the following conditions is met:

(1) further treatment is not likely to bring about significant improvement in the person’s condition; or
(2) treatment is no longer adequate or appropriate.
(f) The court shall inform the person whose commitment or recommitment is sought of the right to contest the petition, to be represented by counsel at every stage of the proceedings relating to commitment and recommitment, to have counsel appointed by the court or provided by the court, if the person is unable to obtain counsel, and of the right to a jury trial if recommitment is sought under Alaska Stat. § 47.37.205. The person whose commitment or recommitment is sought shall be informed of the right to be examined by a licensed physician of the person’s choice. If the person is unable to obtain a licensed physician and requests examination by a physician, the court shall appoint a licensed physician for the examination.
(g) If a private treatment facility agrees with the request of a competent patient or the patient’s parent, adult sibling, adult child, or guardian to accept the patient for treatment, the administrator of the public treatment facility shall transfer the patient to the private treatment facility.
(h) A person committed under this chapter may at any time seek discharge from commitment by writ of habeas corpus under Alaska Stat. Chapter 12.75.
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