[§346-245]  Hearings.  The protective proceedings shall be heard without a jury.  The hearing may be adjourned from time to time.  The general public shall be excluded, and only such persons as are found by the court to have a direct interest in the case shall be admitted. [L 1989, c 381, pt of §1; am L 1990, c 144, §1 and c 234, §9]