Texas Health and Safety Code 597.053 – Appeals
(a) A person notified under § 597.045 may appeal the committee’s decision by filing a petition in the probate court or court having probate jurisdiction for the county in which the client resides or in Travis County. The person must file the appeal not later than the 15th day after the effective date of the committee’s determination.
(b) If the hearing is to be held in a probate court in which the judge is not a licensed attorney, the person filing the appeal may request that the proceeding be transferred to a court with a judge who is licensed to practice law in this state. The probate court judge shall transfer the case after receiving the request, and the receiving court shall hear the case as if it had been originally filed in that court.
Terms Used In Texas Health and Safety Code 597.053
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Probate: Proving a will
- Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(c) A copy of the petition must be served on all parties of record in the proceedings before the committee.
(d) After considering the nature of the condition of the client, the proposed treatment, and the need for timely medical attention, the court may issue a temporary restraining order to facilitate the appeal. If the order is granted, the court shall expedite the trial.