Laws in Arizona allow for the use of court-ordered treatment in the community, known as assisted outpatient treatment (AOT). In Arizona, the court may order a patient to undergo inpatient (hospital) or outpatient (community) treatment if there is clear and convincing evidence that a proposed patient, as a result of a mental disorder, is:
Full Answer
What is a court order for mental health treatment?
Court Order for Mental Heath Treatment. A person eighteen years of age or older may be ordered by the court to comply with mental health treatment. If ordered to treatment, the person may be ordered to inpatient treatment at a hospital, or to outpatient treatment in a community based clinic, or combination of inpatient and outpatient treatment.
How does Tempe mental health court work?
The mental health court operates a docket to provide judicial support and oversight for probationers on specialized caseloads who have serious mental illnesses. Tempe Mental Health Court is a problem-solving treatment court program with weekly dockets.
What are the Arizona laws on court ordered evaluation and treatment?
The Arizona laws on court-ordered evaluation and treatment is in Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 36, Chapter 5, Sections 504-544. More detailed rules are also in Arizona Administrative Code, Title 9, Chapter 21, Article 5.
What is the Tucson City Court Mental Health Division?
The Tucson City Court Mental Health Division manages the oldest continuously operational mental health court in Arizona.
What is a detention order for mental illness?
If reasonable cause exists to believe the person is, as a result of a mental disorder, a danger to self or to others, is persistently and acutely disabled, or is gravely disabled and if the person is unable or unwilling to receive an evaluation on a voluntary basis, the court issues a detention order for involuntary hospitalization and evaluation. ...
Who must present evidence in a mental health hearing?
In addition to the evidence provided by the evaluating physicians, the petitioner must present evidence provided by two or more witnesses acquainted with the person at the time of the alleged mental disorder. The person and legal counsel have the right to be present at the hearing and introduce evidence. After the evidence has been presented ...
How long can you be inpatient for a gravely disabled person?
The maximum period for inpatient treatment is up to 90 days for a person found to be a danger to self, up to 180 days for a person found to be dangerous to others or persistently or acutely disabled, and up to 365 days inpatient days for a gravely disabled person.
How long can you be inpatient for a court order?
The court sets time limits for both inpatient and outpatient treatment. The maximum period for court ordered treatment is 365 days. The maximum period for inpatient treatment is up to 90 days for a person found to be a danger to self, ...
What does a physician determine when a person is in need of treatment?
The physicians must determine if the person is in need of treatment because the person , as a result of a mental disorder, is a danger to self or others, persistently or acutely disabled,or gravely disabled. The physicians must also determine if the person is willing or able to accept treatment voluntarily. The evaluating physician may recommend ...
How old do you have to be to get mental health treatment?
A person eighteen years of age or older may be ordered by the court to comply with mental health treatment. If ordered to treatment, the person may be ordered to inpatient treatment at a hospital, or to outpatient treatment in a community based clinic, or combination of inpatient and outpatient treatment. Treatment may also include provisions such ...
What is judicial review?
Judicial review is a means of making the court aware of changed circumstances affecting the person’s ongoing need for court ordered treatment. If appropriate, the court may change the terms of the order for treatment or terminate the order entirely. A person also has the right to appeal the court order. An appeal is based on legal grounds and may ...
When did Chandler Mental Health start?
The Chandler Mental Health program began in October of 2014, with the goal of reducing recidivism and diverting the participants from incarceration to more appropriate and effective treatment services, including behavioral modification support and housing.
Is Flagstaff a mental health court?
Flagstaff Justice Court adopted Flagstaff Municipal Court ’s Mental Health Court program model with a few a mendments: The Justice Court program adopted an expanded admissions policy to include not only misdemeanors but also felony-level cases and to accept defendants not only pre-plea on a deferred prosecution basis but also post-conviction.
How long does it take to get a court order for mental health?
The individual is advised of their rights, namely their right to counsel and right to a hearing. Before the end of this 72-hour time period, if deemed necessary, a Petition for Court-Ordered Treatment may be filed. In order for an Order for Treatment to be entered, the Court must find that the person, as a result of a mental disorder, ...
What happens if a mentally ill person does not seek treatment?
If a mentally ill individual does not wish to seek treatment, or wishes to terminate treatment against medical advice, the individual may find oneself in court going through a process designed to provide treatment pursuant to a court order.
What are the criteria for an order for treatment?
In order for an Order for Treatment to be entered, the Court must find that the person, as a result of a mental disorder, meets at least one of the following four criteria: is a danger to him/herself. is a danger to others. is persistently or acutely disabled. is gravely disabled.
What is the phone number for Mercy Care?
If you or a loved one are facing a behavioral health crisis, call the Mercy Care Behavioral Health Crisis Line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at (602) 222-9444 or (800) 631-1314 (toll free) or (800) 327-9254 (TTY/TDD). Probate and Mental Health Presiding Judge. Jay Polk.
