Hearing procedures

(1) A hearing held pursuant to section 27-65-108.5, 27-65-109, 27-65-109.5, 27-65-110, 27-65-201, or 27-65-202 must be conducted in the same manner as other civil proceedings before the court. (2) The court, after consultation with the respondent's counsel to obtain the counsel's recommendations, may appoint a professional person to examine the respondent for whom a certification for short-term treatment or long-term care and treatment is sought and testify at the hearing as to the results of the professional person's examination. The court-appointed professional person shall act solely in an advisory capacity, and no presumption is attached to the professional person's findings. (3) Upon request of a legal guardian appointed pursuant to article 14 of title 15, the legal guardian may intervene in any proceeding brought pursuant to this article 65 concerning the legal guardian's ward and, through counsel, may present evidence and represent to the court the views of the legal guardian concerning the appropriate disposition of the case. (4) A lay person may submit an affidavit to the court concerning the lay person's relationship to the respondent, how long the lay person has known the respondent, the lay person's physical address, and the lay person's views concerning the appropriate disposition of the respondent's case.