ABSTRACT
Issues of involuntary hospitalization are among the most difficult aspects of providing psychiatric emergency care. If the emergency psychiatric staff knows their state statutes and have a good working relationship with the judges, the local law enforcement departments, the Prosecutor and Public Defender's office, they can more smoothly serve their purposes as evaluators. The principal service goal of the agency is to have a director and a team of mental health professionals who have the responsibility, upon request of the court, for assessing people to establish an appropriate alternative to hospitalization and Rx services. The probate court is normally located in the most populous city in the county, although in a few states the laws have been changed so that the hearing can be held on the grounds of the state psychiatric hospital. Typically, the court hearing will be held within a week or two after hospitalization.
