Texas Health and Safety Code 574.007 – Disclosure of Information
(a) The proposed patient’s attorney may request information from the county or district attorney in accordance with this section if the attorney cannot otherwise obtain the information.
(b) If the proposed patient’s attorney requests the information at least 48 hours before the time set for the hearing, the county or district attorney shall, within a reasonable time before the hearing, provide the attorney with a statement that includes:
(1) the provisions of this subtitle that will be relied on at the hearing to establish that the proposed patient requires court-ordered temporary or extended inpatient mental health services;
(2) the reasons voluntary outpatient services are not considered appropriate for the proposed patient;
(3) the name, address, and telephone number of each witness who may testify at the hearing;
(4) a brief description of the reasons court-ordered temporary or extended inpatient or outpatient, as appropriate, mental health services are required; and
(5) a list of any acts committed by the proposed patient that the applicant will attempt to prove at the hearing.
Terms Used In Texas Health and Safety Code 574.007
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by writing, printing, or other means. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Signed: includes any symbol executed or adopted by a person with present intention to authenticate a writing. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- sworn: includes affirm or affirmed. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
(c) At the hearing, the judge may admit evidence or testimony that relates to matters not disclosed under Subsection (b) if the admission would not deprive the proposed patient of a fair opportunity to contest the evidence or testimony.
(d) Except as provided by this subsection, not later than 48 hours before the time set for the hearing on the petition for commitment, the county or district attorney shall inform the proposed patient through the proposed patient’s attorney whether the county or district attorney will request that the proposed patient be committed to inpatient services or outpatient services. The proposed patient, the proposed patient’s attorney, and the county or district attorney may agree to waive the requirement of this subsection. The waiver must be made by the proposed patient:
(1) orally and in the presence of the court; or
(2) in writing and signed and sworn to under oath by the proposed patient and the proposed patient’s attorney.