What decision can the Judge make at the Writ hearing?

• A. Keep the client detained with no hearing
• B. Order a longer court date
• C. Release the client or continue involuntary 14-day treatment
• D. Dismiss the writ without hearing

Answer: (C)

At a writ hearing, the judge reviews whether the person’s detention under an involuntary hold is lawful and necessary. The judge’s decision is to either release the person or to continue involuntary treatment for the next 14 days. This keeps the process moving within the established timeframes for involuntary care (the 14-day period), while protecting the person’s due process rights.

Keeping someone detained without a hearing isn’t allowed, and scheduling a longer court date isn’t the function of this hearing. Dismissing the writ without hearing would skip the required review, which isn’t how these proceedings protect rights.