{"data":{"id":"us-ky/krs-202a.076","jurisdiction":"us-ky","citation":"KRS 202A.076","heading":"Conduct of hearings.","body":"(1) The preliminary hearing need not be formal and may include the receiving of the\nqualified mental health professionals' reports as evidence. The hearing may be held\nby the court in chambers, at a hospital, or other suitable place. The respondent shall\nbe afforded an opportunity to testify, to present, and cross -examine witnesses who\nappear and testify against him. The court may exclude all persons not necessary for\nthe conduct of the hearing. The respondent and his attorney may waive respondent's\nright to a preliminary hearing.\n(2) The final hearing may be conducted in an informal manner, consistent with orderly\nprocedures, and in a physical setting not likely to have a harmful effect on the\nmental or physical health of the respondent. The hearing may be held by the court in\nchambers, at a hospital, or other suitable place. The respondent shall be afforded an\nopportunity to testify, to present, and cross -examine witnesses against him. The\nmanner of proceeding and rules of evidence shall be the same as those in  any\ncriminal proceeding including the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.\nProceedings shall be heard by a judge unless a party requests a jury trial. Neither the\nrespondent nor the respondent's attorney may waive the respondent's right to a final\nhearing.","path":["KRS Chapter 202A"],"source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=7458","current_through":"Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"09/05/2026","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T20:51:59Z","sha256":"5a8a3d06445614b6d4057bee0fead9198c43f624a5c7d559b9d1a8d7eb421aed","source_id":"us-ky","stale":false,"prev":"us-ky/krs-202a.071","next":"us-ky/krs-202a.080"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}