Section 22-52-5
Appointment by probate judge of attorney to appear in support of petition; employment by petitioners of attorney to appear in support of petition.
The probate judge shall appoint an attorney to serve as the advocate in support of the petition to commit in all matters regarding a petition to commit. If the person or persons filing a petition to have a person committed wish to employ an attorney of their own choosing to appear in support of the petition, they may do so, and such attorney shall serve in lieu of attorney appointed by the probate judge.
(Acts 1975, No. 1226, p. 2562, §9; Acts 1977, No. 670, p. 1143.)