INFORMATION ABOUT THE INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT PROCESS FOR PETITIONERS AND RESPONDENTS MECKLENBURG COUNTY The order issued by the Magistrate or Clerk today begins the commitment process. The Respondent (patient) being committed will be taken by a law enforcement officer to a physician or psychologist at the local mental health center or other designated facility. At this facility, the Respondent (patient) being committed will be examined by another doctor who will decide whether to release the Respondent (patient) or keep him/her at this facility. If the Respondent (patient) is kept at this facility, he/she will have a hearing before a District Court Judge at the Mental Health Hospital, 501 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211, within ten (10) days. At this hearing, the Judge determines whether the Respondent (patient) will be committed, or if this case will be continued or dismissed. It is very important for you (Petitioner) to attend this Court hearing. If the Respondent (patient) has been discharged by the doctor from this facility prior to this Court hearing, this ends this petition for commitment and these proceedings are terminated. Therefore, there will be no hearing. MCSC-JH-008 03/99