Filing of mental health board petitions for involuntary commitment to a mental health hospital.

-The patient must be dangerous as well as mentally ill.
-There must be an overt act of dangerousness to the patient or to someone else occurring within the last three months.
-There must be information establishing mental illness.
-Subject must be found in Douglas County at time Petition is filed.

The Petition will be presented to the Deputy County Attorney to determine if there is sufficient evidence of dangerous acts and mental illness for approval of the filing of the Petition.

Petitioner and other witnesses may have to appear at the commitment hearing to give sworn testimony to the evidence of dangerousness to self or others as well as mental illness. The subject and his/her attorney will be present. Failure to appear might result in the dismissal of the Petition.

-A Public Defender will be appointed to represent the subject if he/she is indigent.
-The only testimony permitted to be introduced at the hearing is first hand information. No hearsay evidence can be introduced.
-The commitment hearing will be held within 7 days after patient is admitted to hospital.
-Commitment by the Board of Mental Health is for persons who refuse voluntary treatment.
-The Board of Mental Health does not commit persons solely on the basis of having an intellectual or cognitive disability.
-The Board of Mental Health does not pay for the care of patients or pay for the Physician while subject is in the hospital.