(a) Appointment
If the court finds that the petitioner has made a prima facie showing that the respondent is or may be a person described by section 5972, the court must:
(1) Appoint a qualified legal services project as counsel to represent the respondent; or
(2) If no qualified legal services project has agreed to accept CARE Act appointments from the court, appoint a public defender or an attorney acting in that capacity to represent the respondent.
(Subd (a) amended effective September 1, 2024.)
(b) Copy of petition
On appointment, the court must provide to counsel a copy of the petition.
(Subd (b) amended effective July 1, 2026.)
(c) Substitution (§ 5977(b)(1))
(1) The court may relieve appointed counsel:
(A) At the request of counsel or the respondent, on substitution of the respondent's own chosen counsel or appointment of substitute counsel; or
(B) For cause, on appointment of substitute counsel.
(2) The respondent must make arrangements for the compensation, if any, of chosen counsel.
Rule 7.2230 amended effective July 1, 2026; adopted September 1, 2023: previously amended effective September 1, 2024.