# 18 V.S.A. § 7612a: Probable cause review

> Vermont · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7612a

## Section

- **Citation:** 18 V.S.A. § 7612a
- **Heading:** Probable cause review
- **Jurisdiction:** Vermont
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** VT Code / Title 18 / Chapter 181 / Section 7612a

## Text

(a) Within three days after an application for involuntary treatment is filed, the Family Division of the Superior Court shall conduct a review to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the person was a person in need of treatment at the time of his or her admission. The review shall be based solely on the application for an emergency examination and accompanying certificate by a licensed physician and the application for involuntary treatment.

(b) If, based on a review conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the court finds probable cause to believe that the person was a person in need of treatment at the time of his or her admission, the person shall be ordered held in the temporary custody of the Commissioner for further proceedings in accordance with Part 8 of this title. If probable cause is not established, the person shall be ordered discharged or released from the hospital and returned to the place from which he or she was transported or to such place as the person may reasonably direct.

(c) An application for involuntary treatment shall not be dismissed solely because the probable cause review is not completed within the time period required by this section if there is good cause for the delay.

## Nearby sections

- [18 V.S.A. § 7611 § 7611. Involuntary treatment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7611.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7612 § 7612. Application for involuntary treatment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7612.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7612a § 7612a. Probable cause review](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7612a.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7613 § 7613. Notice-appointment of counsel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7613.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7614 § 7614. Psychiatric examination](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7614.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7615 § 7615. Hearing on application for involuntary treatment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7615.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7616 § 7616. Appearance by State; burden of proof](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7616.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7617 § 7617. Findings; order](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7617.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7617a § 7617a. Reporting; National Instant Criminal Background Check System](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7617a.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7618 § 7618. Order; nonhospitalization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7618.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7619 § 7619. Order; hospitalization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7619.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7620 § 7620. Application for continued treatment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7620.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7621 § 7621. Hearing on application for continued treatment; orders](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7621.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 7622 § 7622. Expert testimony](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7622.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C181_S7612a. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.