Vermont Statutes Title 14 Sec. 3068
Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 14 Sec. 3068
- 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.
- 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.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Person: shall include any natural person, corporation, municipality, the State of Vermont or any department, agency, or subdivision of the State, and any partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. See
- Person in need of guardianship: means a person who:
- Respondent: means a person who is the subject of a petition filed pursuant to section 3063 of this title or a person under guardianship who is the subject of any subsequent petition, motion, or action filed pursuant to this subchapter. See
- seal: shall include an impression of the official seal made upon paper alone or by means of a wafer or wax affixed thereto. See
- State: when applied to the different parts of the United States may apply to the District of Columbia and any territory and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. See
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
§ 3068. Hearing
(a) The respondent, the petitioner and all other persons to whom notice has been given pursuant to section 3064 of this title may attend the hearing and testify. The respondent and the petitioner may subpoena, present, and cross-examine witnesses, including those who prepared the evaluation. The court may exclude any person not necessary for the conduct of the hearing on motion of the respondent.
(b) The hearing shall be conducted in a manner consistent with orderly procedure and in a setting not likely to have a harmful effect on the mental or physical health of the respondent.
(c) The evaluation shall be received into evidence, if the persons who prepared the evaluation are available for the hearing or subject to service of subpoena. However, the court shall not be bound by the evidence contained in the evaluation, but shall make its determination upon the entire record. In all cases, the court shall make specific findings of fact, state separately its conclusions of law and direct the entry of an appropriate judgment.
(d) The petitioner may be represented by counsel in any proceedings brought under this chapter.
(e) If upon completion of the hearing and consideration of the record the court finds that the respondent is not a person in need of guardianship, it shall dismiss the petition and seal the records of the proceeding.
(f) If upon completion of the hearing and consideration of the record the court finds that the petitioner has proved by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent is a person in need of guardianship or will be a person in need of guardianship on attaining 18 years of age, it shall enter judgment specifying the powers of the guardian pursuant to sections 3069 and 3070 of this title and the duties of the guardian pursuant to section 3071 of this title.
(g) Any party to the proceeding before the court may appeal the court’s decision in the manner provided in section 3080 of this title. (Added 1979, No. 76, § 15; amended 1983, No. 91, § 9; 2007, No. 186 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)