Mental Health

There are two types of petitions that can be filed with the court regarding mental health:

Baker Act

A Baker Act is the procedure for providing persons with emergency psychiatric services and temporary detention for mental health evaluation and treatment when required, who are mentally ill and because of the illness, refuses or is unable to determine examination is necessary; and who are likely to suffer from self-neglect or inflict harm to themselves or others.

Marchman Act

A Marchman Act is the procedure for providing a person with emergency services and temporary detention for substance abuse assessment and treatment when required, who is impaired because of his/her substance abuse, and who is unable to determine his or her need for such services is necessary; has lost the power of self-control with respect to substance use; and who is likely to inflict, or threatened or attempted to inflict harm to themselves or others.

Please note that all mental health records and court proceedings are CONFIDENTIAL. NO information regarding these cases will be disclosed by phone. The respondent or parent or legal guardian of the respondent must appear at the Clerk’s Office in person with a valid identification in order to obtain any information regarding the case.

Forms can be located on the Forms page.