Art. 657. Discharge or release; hearing

            After considering the report or reports filed pursuant to Articles 655 and 656, the court may either continue the commitment or hold a contradictory hearing to determine whether the committed person no longer has a mental illness as defined by Article 657.3 and can be discharged, or can be released on probation, without danger to others or to himself as defined by R.S. 28:2. At the hearing, the burden shall be upon the state to seek continuance of the confinement by proving by clear and convincing evidence that the committed person currently has a mental illness and is dangerous, except as provided in Article 657.3. After the hearing, and upon filing written findings of fact and conclusions of law, the court may order the committed person discharged, released on probation subject to specified conditions for a fixed or an indeterminate period, or recommitted to the state mental institution. A copy of the judgment and order containing the written findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be forwarded to the administrator of the forensic facility. Notice to the counsel for the committed person and the district attorney of the contradictory hearing shall be given at least thirty days prior to the hearing.

            Acts 1992, No. 398, §1; Acts 1993, No. 700, §1; Acts 2017, No. 369, §5; Acts 2024, No. 43, §1.