An appeal from an order of the probate court granting a petition seeking to commit a person to the custody of the Alabama Department of Public Health or such other facility as the court may order lies to the circuit court for trial de novo unless the probate judge who granted the petition was learned in the law, in which case the appeal lies to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals on the record. Notice of appeal shall be given in writing to the probate judge within five days after the respondent has received actual notice of the granting of the petition and shall be accompanied by security for costs, to be approved by the probate judge, unless the probate judge finds that the person sought to be committed is indigent, in which case no security shall be required. Upon the filing of a notice of appeal, the probate judge shall determine and enter an order setting forth the limitations to be placed upon the liberty of the person sought to be committed, pending appeal. Upon the filing of a notice of appeal, the probate judge shall certify the record to the clerk of the reviewing court. The petition shall be set for hearing by the reviewing court within 60 days of the date that the notice of appeal is filed in the probate court, and such hearing shall not be continued except for good cause, upon motion in writing by the person sought to be committed. The costs of the proceedings in the reviewing court shall be taxed in the same manner as in the probate court. All requirements relative to hearings in probate court shall apply to appeals heard in the circuit court.
Last modified: May 3, 2021