California’s mental health laws aim to keep people safe, but outcomes can be unpredictable or unfair in cases involving the criminal justice system. If you are facing charges and have a mental health condition, securing legal representation is the next step.
A Beverly Hills criminal defense lawyer from Simmrin Law Group can support you during this challenging time and seek the best outcome for you. We have decades of legal experience and work hard to protect our clients and resolve their legal matters.
Our Beverly Hills mental health lawyers handle a wide range of cases, including those involving 5150 and 5250 holds. We can explore your legal options during a private consultation. Call us today to get started.
An Overview of 5150 and 5250 Holds in California
If you or a loved one was placed under an involuntary hold during a mental health crisis, it is important to understand your situation’s legal implications. California law created the holds to protect people who may be a danger to themselves or others due to a mental illness.
Briefly, a 5150 hold allows a qualified officer or clinician in California to involuntarily confine a person suspected of having a mental health disorder for up to 72 hours. During this hold, they will evaluate the person’s mental state and provide treatment if necessary.
If they determine that the person needs additional care, they may extend the hold.
Transition to a 5250 Hold
If, after the initial 72-hour period, the mental health professionals believe the individual requires further treatment, they can initiate a 5250 hold and confine the person for up to 14 additional days.
A 5250 hold involves a certification review hearing, at which the individual has the right to be present and represented by an advocate or attorney. During this hearing, mental health professionals present evidence to justify the need to continue the confinement. The individual can challenge the hold with their evidence or testimony.
For a free legal consultation with a mental health lawyer serving Beverly Hills, call (310) 896-2723
Our Beverly Hills Mental Health Rights Lawyers Handle 5150 and 5250 Holds Cases
People with mental illnesses have rights under the law, even when they have been placed under an involuntary hold. Our legal team can help you seek recourse against an improper 5150 hold and challenge any actions that violate your or your loved one’s rights.
If our mental health attorneys in Beverly Hills represent you, we will handle your entire case. We will:
- Explain your rights, including the right to secure legal representation, and request a hearing.
- Advise you on your legal options and best course of action.
- Advocate for your best interests and gather evidence to support your case.
- Consult with mental health professionals to confirm you receive the proper mental health care and treatment.
- Represent you at hearings, including a certification review hearing.
- Handle your case’s paperwork and communications with all relevant parties.
- Review less strict alternatives that focus on treatment and rehabilitation.
- Review health centers to ensure they follow all legal requirements.
Our Beverly Hills mental health rights lawyers can answer your questions, such as what the differences between 5150 and 5250 are, and address your concerns. Call us for a confidential consultation today.
Beverly Hills Mental Health Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
How Lawyers Help With Cases Involving Mental Disorders
Working with a criminal defense lawyer who knows mental health laws and understands the nuances of cases involving mental health issues. Our team can help with all of the following:
- Evaluating competency: Our lawyers can help determine if an individual is mentally competent to stand trial.
- Insanity defense: If applicable, we could argue that an individual was not responsible for their actions because of a mental disorder.
- Diversion programs: We can advocate for mental health diversion programs that focus on treatment rather than incarceration.
- Sentencing considerations: We can demonstrate why mental health issues are a factor for reduced sentencing or alternative sentencing options.
We will develop our approach to your case based on its circumstances and details. Your needs come first, and we will always keep them at the forefront of everything that we do.
What Happens if a Criminal Case Involving Mental Illness Goes to Trial?
If your case must go to trial, we will represent you in court, seek to negotiate with prosecutors, and seek the best outcome for you, which could require that you attend a mental health treatment program.
During the trial, we can present evidence of your mental illness. This can include medical records, testimony from mental health professionals, and details about your behavior and condition. This evidence helps the court understand how mental illness may have affected your actions.
The jury will consider all the evidence before deciding the case’s outcome. If it returns a guilty verdict, we can review your options, which may include filing an appeal for the appellate court’s review.
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Other Cases Our Mental Health Lawyers Can Handle for You
Outside of involuntary holds, we handle a wide range of cases involving mental health in California. These cases are unique and involve various issues, so it is most beneficial to get professional legal help tailored specifically to your case.
Some of the cases we handle involve:
Guardianship and Conservatorship Matters
Guardianship and conservatorship help protect people who can’t make decisions for themselves due to mental health conditions. A guardian or conservator can make important choices about their care, living arrangements, and finances.
Our attorneys can help families set up these protections to ensure their loved ones are safe and well-cared for.
Mental Health Diversion Programs
Mental health diversion programs are special programs that help people with mental health conditions avoid jail. Instead of going to prison, they get the treatment and support they need to get better. We can help people join these programs, focusing on recovery rather than punishment.
Advocacy for Fair Treatment in Mental Health Facilities
Everyone in a mental health facility deserves to be treated with respect and care. Sometimes, patients’ rights are not respected, and they don’t get the proper treatment. Our lawyers can step in to advocate for these patients.
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Call Us for Help From Our Beverly Hills Mental Health Lawyers
If you or a loved one is dealing with a mental health crisis in Beverly Hills, understanding the legal implications of your case is important. Our Beverly Hills mental health lawyers can provide the legal support you need to manage the situation.
We can review your situation and give you straightforward guidance. Call us today for a private consultation.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form