(a) The court shall set a hearing on the petition, and notice of the hearing shall be served personally on the person who is the subject of the petition, and personally or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, deliverable to the addressee only, on either the person’s legal guardian or emergency contact listed while in the custody of the department, if such person can be located and served. Notice of the hearing shall also be served on the public defender, person’s attorney, or other court-appointed attorney, as the case may be. If the person who is the subject of the petition is a minor, notice of the hearing shall also be served upon the person who has had the principal care and custody of the minor during the sixty days preceding the date of the petition if that person can be found within the State. Notice shall also be given to the other persons as the court may designate.
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.
Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
(b) The notice required by subsection (a) shall include:
(1) The date, time, place of hearing, a clear statement of the purpose of the proceedings and of possible consequences to the person who is the subject of the petition, and a statement of the legal standard upon which treatment is authorized;(2) A copy of the petition;(3) Written notice, in plain and simple language, that the person may waive the hearing by voluntarily agreeing to the care or treatment proposed;(4) A completed form indicating the waiver described in paragraph (3) if the person waived the hearing;(5) Written notice, in plain and simple language, that the person or the person’s guardian or representative may apply at any time for a hearing on the issue of the person’s need for care or treatment if the person has previously waived a hearing;(6) Notice that the person is entitled to the assistance of an attorney and that the public defender has been notified of these proceedings;(7) Notice that if the person does not want to be represented by the public defender, the person may contact the person’s own attorney; and(8) Notice, if applicable, that the petitioner intends to present evidence to show that the person is an incapacitated or protected person, or both, under article V of chapter 560, and whether the appointment of a guardian is sought at the hearing. If appointment of a guardian is to be recommended, and a nominee is known at the time the petition is filed, the identity of the nominee shall be disclosed.(c) If the person who is the subject of the petition executes and files a waiver of the hearing, then upon acceptance by the court following a court determination that the person understands the person’s rights and is competent to waive them, the court shall order the person to be given the care or treatment as the court deems to be proper under the circumstance.
