Terms Used In Tennessee Code 33-3-605

  • Chief officer: means the person with overall authority for a public or private hospital or treatment resource, or the person's designee. See Tennessee Code 33-1-101
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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.
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105

Upon receipt of a complaint, the clerk shall have a copy of the complaint with a notice of the time and place of the hearing, the defendant‘s right to counsel, and the standards for commitment that apply to the proceeding served on the defendant by personal service if the person is at liberty, or by mail, if the person is not at liberty, and shall send a copy by mail to the defendant’s attorney, the chief officer of a facility in which the defendant is, and the defendant’s legal guardian, legal custodian, or conservator, if any, and to the spouse, parent, or adult next of kin if there is no guardian or conservator. If mailing addresses are unknown, notice may be given by any other reasonable means.