Throughout the court ordered evaluation and treatment process, the patient has rights under Arizona Administrative Code R9-21-211 & 501-506 and may need an advocate to ensure that they are protected.
A patient has the right to...
- A translator if English is not your main language
- Get a treatment plan
- Be assigned a case manager as your mental health advocate
- Have an attorney represent you in court
- Be involved in making your Inpatient Treatment and Discharge Plan
- Have someone represent you in making the Inpatient Treatment and Discharge Plan
Right to Judicial Review
A person placed under a court order for treatment has the right to request a judicial review 60 days after the treatment date and every 60 days thereafter. This is a way to make the court aware of any lifestyle or medical changes that have been made. A.R.S. § 36-546
Right to Appeal
If there are legal grounds, the patient has the ability to appeal the decision for court ordered treatment. Since a filing for appeal has to be made within 30 days, the lawyer of the patient should be notified immediately after the hearing.
A.R.S. § 36-546.01
Max Time Period of Treatment
The maximum number of days court ordered treatment can last is 365 days. Maximum length of time for a person to be in inpatient treatment is 180 days for a persistent or acutely disability; 365 days for a grave disability. A.R.S. § 36-540(F)
