What is a Civil Commitment?
A civil commitment is a process in which a judge decides whether a person alleged to be mentally ill should be involuntarily hospitalized or treated for their mental illness. A civil commitment for mental illness is often not appropriate in cases that involve behaviors tied to drug use or neurological issues as possible explanations.
Who Qualifies for a Civil Commitment?
A person can be committed if the judge finds that the person has a mental illness, and because of that mental illness the person is:
- In immediate danger of harming themselves or others or unable to care for their basic needs to the extent it will cause them serious bodily harm.
AND
- Is not willing or able to voluntarily participate in treatment.
What is the Process for Civil Commitment?
Civil Commitments can include a suspension of an individual’s civil liberties without them committing a crime. For these reasons there are few mechanisms for initiating a civil commitment investigation available to the public. Two people may initiate an investigation by filing a petition describing the allegedly mentally ill individual’s symptoms and behavior, but this does not guarantee the person will be brought forward for a hearing.
For more information regarding the commitment process, please see link on right for "Lane County Civil Commitment Process PDF".