Arizona Laws 36-538. Independent evaluator
At all hearings conducted pursuant to sections 36-539, 36-543 and 36-546, a person has the right to have an analysis of the person’s mental condition by an independent evaluator. If the person is unable to afford an evaluation, the court shall appoint an independent evaluator acceptable to the patient from a list of physicians, psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioners with sufficient relevant experience as determined by the medical director and psychologists who are willing to accept court-appointed evaluations.
Terms Used In Arizona Laws 36-538
- Court: means the superior court in the county in this state in which the patient resides or was found before screening or emergency admission under this title. See Arizona Laws 36-501
- Director: means the director of the administration. See Arizona Laws 36-501
- Evaluation: means :
(a) A professional multidisciplinary analysis that may include firsthand observations or remote observations by interactive audiovisual media and that is based on data describing the person's identity, biography and medical, psychological and social conditions carried out by a group of persons consisting of at least the following:
(i) Two licensed physicians who are qualified psychiatrists, if possible, or at least experienced in psychiatric matters, who shall examine and report their findings independently. See Arizona Laws 36-501
- Independent evaluator: means a licensed physician, psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner or psychologist who is selected by the person to be evaluated or by the person's attorney. See Arizona Laws 36-501
- Patient: means any person who is undergoing examination, evaluation or behavioral or mental health treatment under this chapter. See Arizona Laws 36-501
- Person: includes a corporation, company, partnership, firm, association or society, as well as a natural person. See Arizona Laws 1-215