5276.
(a) Judicial review shall be in the superior court for the county in which the facility providing intensive treatment is located or in the county in which the 72-hour evaluation was conducted if the patient or a person acting in his or her on the patient’s behalf informs the professional staff of the evaluation facility (in writing) facility, in writing, that judicial review will be sought. No A patient shall not be transferred from the county providing evaluation services to a different county for intensive treatment if the staff of the evaluation facility has been informed informed, in writing writing, that a judicial review will be sought, until the completion of the judicial review. The person requesting to be released shall be informed of his or her their right to counsel by the member of the treatment staff and by the court; and, if he or she the person so elects, the court shall immediately appoint the public defender or other attorney to assist him or her them in preparation of a petition for the writ of habeas corpus and, if he or she the person so elects, to represent him or her them in the proceedings. The person shall pay the costs of the legal service if he or she is able.(b) (1) Reasonable attempts shall be made by the mental health facility to notify family members or any other person designated by the patient, of the time and place of the judicial review, unless the patient requests that this information not be provided. The patient shall be advised by the treating facility that is treating the patient that he or she has the right to request that this information not be provided.
(2) A family member, friend, or acquaintance with personal knowledge of the person receiving treatment may make a request to testify in the judicial review proceedings. This request shall be submitted, in writing, to the counsel to either party. The receiving counsel or their designee, upon receiving a request, shall determine whether the requester’s testimony will assist in the proceedings and, within a reasonable time, shall respond to the requester, in writing, with an approval or denial. This paragraph does not affect or alter the court’s ability to determine the admissibility of testimony.
(c) The court shall either release the person or order an evidentiary hearing to be held within two judicial days after the petition is filed. If the court finds, (a) that the person requesting release is not, as a result of mental disorder or impairment by chronic alcoholism, a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled, (b) that he or she had not been advised of, or had accepted, voluntary treatment, or (c) that the facility providing intensive treatment is not equipped and staffed to provide treatment, or is not designated by the county to provide intensive treatment he or she shall be released immediately. The person shall be released immediately if the court finds any of the following:
(1) That the person requesting release is not, as a result of mental disorder or impairment by chronic alcoholism, a danger to others, or to themselves, or gravely disabled.
(2) That the person had not been advised of, or had accepted, voluntary treatment.
(3) That the facility providing intensive treatment is not equipped and staffed to provide treatment, or is not designated by the county to provide intensive treatment.