(a) The judge shall appoint an attorney to represent a proposed patient within 24 hours after the time an application for court-ordered mental health services is filed if the proposed patient does not have an attorney. At that time, the judge shall also appoint a language or sign interpreter if necessary to ensure effective communication with the attorney in the proposed patient’s primary language.
(b) The court shall inform the attorney in writing of the attorney’s duties under § 574.004.

Terms Used In Texas Health and Safety Code 574.003

  • in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by writing, printing, or other means. See Texas Government Code 312.011

(c) The proposed patient’s attorney shall be furnished with all records and papers in the case and is entitled to have access to all hospital and physicians’ records.