Texas Statutes
Subchapter D. Court-Ordered Treatment
Section 462.066. Probable Cause Hearing and Detention

Sec. 462.066. PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING AND DETENTION. (a) The court shall set a hearing to determine if there is probable cause to believe that a proposed patient under a protective custody order presents a substantial risk of serious harm to himself or others if not restrained until the hearing on the application. The hearing must be held not later than 72 hours after the protective custody order is signed unless the proposed patient waives the right to a hearing. If the period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the hearing must be held on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The judge or magistrate may postpone the hearing each day for an additional 24 hours if the judge or magistrate declares that an extreme emergency exists because of extremely hazardous weather conditions or on the occurrence of a disaster that threatens the safety of the proposed patient or another essential party to the hearing.
(b) The hearing shall be held before a magistrate or, at the discretion of the presiding judge, before a master appointed by the presiding judge. The master is entitled to reasonable compensation.
(c) The proposed patient and the proposed patient's attorney are entitled to an opportunity at the hearing to appear and present evidence on any allegation or statement in the certificate of medical examination for chemical dependency. The magistrate or master may consider any evidence. The state may prove its case on the certificate.
(d) The magistrate or master shall order the release of a person under a protective custody order if the magistrate or master determines after the hearing that no probable cause exists to believe that the proposed patient presents a substantial risk of serious harm to himself or others.
(e) The magistrate shall order that a proposed patient be detained until the hearing on the court-ordered treatment or until the administrator of the facility determines that the proposed patient no longer meets the criteria for detention under this section if the magistrate or master determines that probable cause does exist to believe that the proposed patient presents a substantial risk of serious harm to himself or others to the extent that the proposed patient cannot be at liberty pending the hearing on court-ordered treatment.
(f) The magistrate or master shall arrange for a proposed patient detained under Subsection (e) to be returned to the treatment facility or other suitable place, along with a copy of the certificate of medical examination for chemical dependency, any affidavits or other material submitted as evidence in the hearing, and the notification prepared as prescribed by Subsection (g). A copy of the notification of probable cause hearing and the supporting evidence shall be filed with the court that entered the original order of protective custody.
(g) The notification of probable cause hearing shall read as follows:
(Style of Case)
NOTIFICATION OF PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING
On this the __________ day of __________, 20___, the undersigned hearing officer heard evidence concerning the need for protective custody of __________ (hereinafter referred to as proposed patient). The proposed patient was given the opportunity to challenge the allegations that the proposed patient presents a substantial risk of serious harm to self or others.
The proposed patient and the proposed patient's attorney _____________ have been given written notice that the proposed
(attorney)
patient was placed under an order of protective custody and the reasons for such order on _________________.
(date of notice)
I have examined the certificate of medical examination for chemical dependency and ________________________________. Based on
(other evidence considered)
this evidence, I find that there is probable cause to believe that the proposed patient presents a substantial risk of serious harm to self (yes ___ or no ___) or others (yes ___ or no ___) such that the proposed patient cannot be at liberty pending final hearing because
________________________________________________________________
(reasons for finding; type of risk found)
Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 175, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.1172, eff. April 2, 2015.