Counsel for respondent (§§ 5976(c), 5977(a)(3)(A), (a)(5)(C) & (b)(1))

(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 a copy of the petition packet to appointed counsel. (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 September 1, 2024; adopted September 1, 2023.