Mental Health Commitments
Mental Health Commitments
To file an involuntary commitment petition, please complete all 6 pages of the petition. We have also provided an instruction sheet that will explain everything about the petition. Once the petition is completed, you will need to have the document notarized by a notary. We will not be able to accept the petition without it being notarized. There are notary services at banks, libraries and UPS stores. Once the petition is completed, please email it to petitions@jbsmha.com.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 205-325-5009, ext. 2.
The statistics are that one in five individuals will suffer from some form of mental illness in their lifetime. The numbers are even more staggering for the aging illnesses of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
In Jefferson County, Probate Judges Friday and Naftel conduct involuntary commitment hearings each day at one of at seven hospitals (UAB, Brookwood, Trinity, Hillcrest, Baptist Princeton, St. Vincent’s East, and UAB Medical West).
During the 1980s there were approximately 200 adult mental health hearings per year in our court. In the mid-1990s the number had increased to approximately 700 hearings per year, and in 2012 the number was over 1100 hearings. Obviously, this is an enormously important and growing area of our court. We have a team of social workers from the Jefferson, Blount, St. Clair (JBS) Mental Health Authority who have their offices in probate court. The JBS team and court personnel stand ready to answer questions and assist family and friends of those who suffer from a serious mental illness.
Almost daily in Jefferson County, some family or friend is confronted with a loved one who has developed signs of a serious mental illness. The family or friend is devastated and does not where to turn or what to do. We can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do If I Believe Someone Needs Treatment For A Mental Illness?
What Is An Involuntary Commitment?
What Elements Must Be Present In Order To Involuntarily Commit A Person To An Inpatient Mental Health Facility?
Who May File A Petition To Initiate An Involuntary Commitment Proceeding?
What Must The Petition Contain?
Where Is The Petition Filed?
Must The Court Appoint Attorneys To Represent The Parties Involved In An Involuntary Commitment Proceeding?
To Whom Must The Court Send Notice Of The Commitment Proceeding?
What Is The Procedure To Be Followed At The Hearing?
What Are The Results Of The Hearing?
Why Must The Preceding Procedure Be Rigidly Followed?
What Follows An Initial Commitment?
What Are Some Alternatives To Involuntary Commitments?
What Should I Do If I Believe Someone Needs Treatment For A Mental Illness?
Call 911 for emergency assistance if the person is actively suicidal, dangerous, or if it is a medical emergency. If it is not an emergency, take the person to your local mental health center or mental health hospital if he or she will go voluntarily. If the person refuses help and you believe they are a danger to themselves or to others, contact the Probate Judge’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, mental health center, or your attorney for instructions on how to initiate an involuntary commitment proceeding.
The statistics are that one in five individuals will suffer from some form of mental illness during their lifetime. The numbers are even more staggering for the aging illnesses of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
In Jefferson County, Probate Judges Friday and Naftel conduct involuntary commitment hearings each day at one of at six hospitals (UAB, Brookwood, Trinity, Hillcrest, Baptist Princeton and UAB Medical West).
During the 1980s there were approximately 200 adult mental health hearings per year in our court. In the mid-1990s the number had increased to approximately 700 hearings per year, and in 2012 the number was over 1100 hearings. Obviously, this is an enormously important and growing area of our court. We have a team of social workers from the Jefferson , Blount, St. Clair (JBS) Mental Health Authority who have their offices in probate court. The JBS team and court personnel stand ready to answer questions and assist family and friends of those who suffer from a serious mental illness.
Almost daily in Jefferson County, some family is confronted with a loved one who has developed signs of a serious mental illness. The family is devastated and does not where to turn or what to do. We can help.
What Is An Involuntary Commitment?
A procedure whereby a person is involuntarily placed in the custody of the State Department of Mental Health for treatment. A person cannot be committed due to a drug or alcohol problem. The law specifically states that such problems do not constitute a mental illness for purposes of this act.
What Elements Must Be Present In Order To Involuntarily Commit A Person To An Inpatient Mental Health Facility?
Clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence that:
- the respondent is mentally ill; and
- because of the mental illness the person poses a real and present threat of substantial harm to himself or to others; and
- respondent will continue to experience mental distress and deterioration of ability to function independently if not treated; and
- respondent is unable to make a rational decision regarding treatment.
A recent overt act of dangerousness is not required. Nonetheless, the court must be convinced that there is a substantial likelihood that the person possesses a danger to oneself or to others.
- treatment is available for the person’s mental illness or confinement is necessary to prevent the person from causing substantial harm to oneself or to others; and
- commitment is the least restrictive alternative available.
Who May File A Petition To Initiate An Involuntary Commitment Proceeding?
Any person may seek to have another person committed by filing a petition with the Probate Court in accordance with Section 22-52-1.2 of the Code of Alabama.
What Must The Petition Contain?
- name and address of the petitioner;
- name and location of respondent’s spouse, attorney or next of kin;
- that petitioner has reason to believe respondent is mentally ill;
- petitioner’s beliefs are based on specific behavior, acts, attempts or threats which are described in detail; and
- names and addresses of other people with knowledge of the respondent’s illness or who observed the person’s overt acts and who may be called as his witnesses.
Here is a blank petition (PDF) for general use to begin these proceedings.
Where Is The Petition Filed?
In the probate court in the county where the respondent is located.
EVIDENCE
Expert witnesses testify on a petition to commit since the petitioner must prove that the person is mentally ill and other elements that would seem to call for an opinion beyond that of a family member or friend.
A family member or friend may testify as to their opinion on a person’s sanity as long as they have had adequate opportunity to observe that respondent’s conduct is either normal or abnormal behavior.
A licensed general practitioner of medicine is considered an expert under Alabama law and may render expert testimony on a person’s sanity.
Must The Court Appoint Attorneys To Represent The Parties Involved In An Involuntary Commitment Proceeding?
- for the respondent: yes, if such person lacks the mental ability to secure the services of an attorney or if such person lacks the funds to employ an attorney.
- for the petitioner: yes, the court must appoint an attorney to advocate the petition to commit. The petitioner may employ an attorney on their own to appear in lieu of the appointed attorney.
- if petition is denied, the petitioners may be required to pay all costs of the proceedings.
To Whom Must The Court Send Notice Of The Commitment Proceeding?
Notice must be served on the respondent and the Mental Health Department or other facility where the petition seeks to have the person committed.
What Is The Procedure To Be Followed At The Hearing?
- the respondent has the right to be present unless waived (in writing) or presence would keep hearings from being conducted in an orderly manner, or the respondent’s attendance would be dangerous to the respondent’s physical or mental health.
- a hearing is to be held by probate judge without a jury.
- the hearings are to be open to the public unless requested otherwise by the respondent.
- a full transcript of the hearing must be kept for three years.
- the Alabama Rules of Evidence apply.
- the respondent has the right to offer evidence, and to compel witnesses and the right to cross-examine.
- respondent may testify in his own behalf but cannot be forced to testify against himself.
- commitment is granted only if the elements required for commitment are established by clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence.
What Are The Results Of The Hearing?
If commitment is granted, the order shall be entered for outpatient treatment or inpatient treatment. The least restrictive alternative necessary and available for the treatment of the respondent’s mental illness shall be ordered. Inpatient treatment may be ordered at a state mental health facility or a designated mental health facility. Outpatient treatment may be ordered at a designated mental health facility if said facility consents to treat the respondent on an outpatient basis.
Why Must The Preceding Procedure Be Rigidly Followed?
The preceding procedure sets out the minimum requirements necessary for the commitment process to be constitutional under the procedural and substantive due process clause.
What Follows An Initial Commitment?
- initial commitment order valid for up to 150 days.
- state must file a petition for renewal within 30 days of expiration of initial order, stating in detail reasons for renewal.
- no renewal shall exceed one year.
- respondent must be released if renewal petition is not filed or is denied.
What Are Some Alternatives To Involuntary Commitments?
- Outpatient treatment; Group therapy; Individual therapy; or Medication
- Inpatient treatment — weekends;
- Respite bed in a transitional home;
- Group homes;
- Voluntary hospitalization;
- Nursing homes; or
- State homes.
