|
Involuntary Assessment -
Florida Statute 397.6811
A Petition for Involuntary Assessment may be filed when there is
good faith reason to believe an individual is substance abuse
impaired and because of that impairment has lost the power of
self-control with respect to substance use.
The Petition is filed with the clerk of Court and must be set for
hearing within 10 days. Notice of hearing is provided by mail to the
petitioners. The patient is served notice of hearing by a
plainclothes Deputy Sheriff.
A General Master presides at the hearing and after hearing all
relevant testimony the court may enter an Order for Involuntary
Assessment. Unless arrangements have been made for assessment at a
private facility, the court order shall direct the Sheriff's
Department to take the patient into custody and deliver him/her to a
public facility licensed by the Department of Children and Families.
The facility will assess and stabilize the patient for a period not
to exceed 5 days. A written assessment is sent to the court. Once
the written assessment is received, the court may proceed with the
Petition For Involuntary Treatment. The form petitions are available
Monday thru Friday at:
Mental Health Office
Room 4.2200 Main County Courthouse
205 North Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, Fl. 33401
Tel. (561) 355-1685
Mental Health Office
1st floor, South County Courthouse
200 West Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach, Fl. 33444
Tel. (561) 274-1589
West County Courthouse
38844 State Road 80
Belle Glade, Fl. 33430
|
