From: deputydog23x@gmail.com   
      
   2010 Mississippi Code   
   TITLE 41 - PUBLIC HEALTH    
   Chapter 21 - Individuals with Mental Illness or Mental Retardation.   
   41-21-73 - Procedures for hearing; evidence; witnesses; commitment;   
   disposition and findings.   
      
   § 41-21-73. Procedures for hearing; evidence; witnesses; commitment;   
   disposition and findings.   
       
      
   (1)  The hearing shall be conducted before the chancellor. Within a reasonable   
   period of time before the hearing, notice of same shall be provided the   
   respondent and his attorney, which shall include: (a) notice of the date, time   
   and place of the hearing;   
    (b) a clear statement of the purpose of the hearing; (c) the possible   
   consequences or outcome of the hearing; (d) the facts that have been alleged   
   in support of the need for commitment; (e) the names, addresses and telephone   
   numbers of the examiner(s);    
   and (f) other witnesses expected to testify.    
      
   (2)  The respondent must be present at the hearing unless the chancellor   
   determines that the respondent is unable to attend and makes that   
   determination and the reasons therefor part of the record. At the time of the   
   hearing the respondent shall not be    
   so under the influence or suffering from the effects of drugs, medication or   
   other treatment so as to be hampered in participating in the proceedings. The   
   court, at the time of the hearing, shall be presented a record of all drugs,   
   medication or other    
   treatment that the respondent has received pending the hearing, unless the   
   court determines that such a record would be impractical and documents the   
   reasons for that determination.    
      
   (3)  The respondent shall have the right to offer evidence, to be confronted   
   with the witnesses against him and to cross-examine them and shall have the   
   privilege against self-incrimination. The rules of evidence applicable in   
   other judicial proceedings    
   in this state shall be followed.    
      
   (4)  If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the proposed   
   patient is a mentally ill or mentally retarded person and, if after careful   
   consideration of reasonable alternative dispositions, including, but not   
   limited to, dismissal of the    
   proceedings, the court finds that there is no suitable alternative to judicial   
   commitment, the court shall commit the patient for treatment in the least   
   restrictive treatment facility that can meet the patient's treatment needs.   
   Treatment prior to    
   admission to a state-operated facility shall be located as closely as possible   
   to the patient's county of residence and the county of residence shall be   
   responsible for that cost. Admissions to state-operated facilities shall be in   
   compliance with the    
   catchment areas established by the Department of Mental Health. A nonresident   
   of the state may be committed for treatment or confinement in the county where   
   such person was found.     
       
      
   Alternatives to commitment to inpatient care may include, but shall not be   
   limited to: voluntary or court-ordered outpatient commitment for treatment   
   with specific reference to a treatment regimen, day treatment in a hospital,   
   night treatment in a    
   hospital, placement in the custody of a friend or relative or the provision of   
   home health services.     
       
      
   For persons committed as mentally ill or mentally retarded, the initial   
   commitment shall not exceed three (3) months.    
      
   (5)  No person shall be committed to a treatment facility whose primary   
   problems are the physical disabilities associated with old age or birth   
   defects of infancy.    
      
   (6)  The court shall state the findings of fact and conclusions of law that   
   constitute the basis for the order of commitment. The findings shall include a   
   listing of less restrictive alternatives considered by the court and the   
   reasons that each was    
   found not suitable.    
      
   (7)  A stenographic transcription shall be recorded by a stenographer or   
   electronic recording device and retained by the court.    
      
   (8)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, neither the   
   Board of Mental Health or its members, nor the Department of Mental Health or   
   its related facilities, nor any employee of the Department of Mental Health or   
   its related    
   facilities, unless related to the respondent by blood or marriage, shall be   
   assigned or adjudicated custody, guardianship, or conservatorship of the   
   respondent.    
      
   (9)  The county where a person in need of treatment is found is authorized to   
   charge the county of such person's residence for the costs incurred while such   
   person is confined in the county where such person was found.     
       
      
   Sources: Laws,  1975, ch. 492, § 4(1); Laws, 1976, ch. 401, § 5; Laws, 1984,   
   ch. 477, § 7; Laws, 1985, ch. 454, § 7; Laws, 1990, ch. 365, § 1; Laws, 1994,   
   ch. 533, § 5; Laws, 1994, ch. 599, § 5; Laws, 2001, ch. 331, § 1; Laws, 2004,   
   ch. 565, § 2, eff    
   from and after July 1, 2004.   
        
   Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Mississippi may   
   have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees   
   about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on   
   this site or the    
   information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.   
      
       
      
   http://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/2010/title-41/21/41-21-69/   
      
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