2017 Arizona Revised Statutes
Title 36 - Public Health and Safety
§ 36-533 Petition for treatment

36-533. Petition for treatment

A. The petition for court-ordered treatment shall allege:

1. That the patient is in need of a period of treatment because the patient, as a result of mental disorder, is a danger to self or to others or has a persistent or acute disability or a grave disability.

2. The treatment alternatives that are appropriate or available.

3. That the patient is unwilling to accept or incapable of accepting treatment voluntarily.

B. The petition shall be accompanied by the affidavits of the two physicians who participated in the evaluation and by the affidavit of the applicant for the evaluation, if any. The affidavits of the physicians shall describe in detail the behavior that indicates that the person, as a result of mental disorder, is a danger to self or to others or has a persistent or acute disability or a grave disability and shall be based on the physician's observations of the patient and the physician's study of information about the patient. A summary of the facts that support the allegations of the petition shall be included. The affidavit shall also include any of the results of the physical examination of the patient if relevant to the patient's psychiatric condition.

C. The petition shall request the court to issue an order requiring the person to undergo a period of treatment. If a prosecutor filed a petition pursuant to section 13-4517, the petition must be accompanied by any known criminal history of the person and any previous findings of incompetency.

D. In cases of grave disability, the petition shall also include:

1. A statement that in the opinion of the petitioner the person with a grave disability does or does not require guardianship or conservatorship, or both, under title 14 and the reasons on which the statement is based.

2. A request that the court order an independent investigation and report for the court if in the opinion of the petitioner the person does require guardianship or conservatorship, or both.

3. A statement that in the opinion of the petitioner the person with a grave disability does or does not require temporary guardianship or conservatorship, or both, and the reasons on which the statement is based.

4. A request that the court appoint a temporary guardian or conservator, or both, if in the opinion of the petitioner the person does require temporary guardianship or conservatorship, or both.

E. A copy of the petition in cases of grave disability shall be mailed to the public fiduciary in the county of the patient's residence or in which the patient was found before evaluation and to any person nominated as guardian or conservator.

F. A copy of all petitions shall be mailed to the superintendent of the Arizona state hospital.