Oregon Statutes - Chapter 427 - Persons With Mental Retardation; Persons With Developmental Disabilities - Section 427.245 - Hearing to determine mental retardation; citation to appear; notice; right to legal counsel.

(1) If the court, following receipt of an investigation report under ORS 427.235, concludes that there is probable cause to believe that the subject of the investigation is in fact a mentally retarded person, it shall, through the issuance of a citation as provided in subsection (2) of this section, cause the person to be brought before it at such time and place as it may direct for a hearing to determine whether the person is mentally retarded. The person shall be given the opportunity to appear at the hearing. If the person is detained pursuant to ORS 427.255, the court shall hold the hearing within seven judicial days.

(2) Upon a determination under subsection (1) of this section that probable cause exists to believe that the person is in fact a mentally retarded person, the judge shall cause a citation to issue to the person or, if the person is a minor or incapacitated, to the parent or legal guardian of the person. The citation shall state the specific reasons the person is believed to be mentally retarded. The citation shall also contain a notice of the time and place of the commitment hearing, the right to legal counsel, the right to have legal counsel appointed if the person is unable to afford legal counsel, the right to have legal counsel appointed immediately if so requested, the right to subpoena witnesses in behalf of the person to testify at the hearing, the right to cross-examine all witnesses and such other information as the court may direct. The citation shall be served on the person by the community mental health and developmental disabilities program director or the designee of the director delivering a duly certified copy of the original to the person prior to the hearing. The person, the parents of the person or the legal guardian of the person shall have the opportunity to consult with legal counsel prior to being brought before the court. The community mental health and developmental disabilities program director or the designee of the director shall advise the person of the purpose of the citation and the possible consequences of the proceeding. [1979 c.683 §18; 1989 c.242 §1]

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Last modified: August 7, 2008