Laura’s Law is a state law in California that deals with assisted outpatient treatment for specific individuals who are in need of mental health services. To qualify for assisted outpatient treatment, you must meet the strict legal criteria and be unable to voluntarily access mental health intervention programs due to severe mental illness. Laura’s Law helps protect the general public and prevent violent crimes from occurring by offering mental health resources to those who would otherwise potentially commit an act of violence.
Laura’s Law was passed in response to a young woman named Laura being murdered by a man who had a severe untreated mental illness. Before the creation of this law, it was quite difficult for those suffering from serious mental illness to access mental health services. Now, mental health intervention programs are more prominent and accessible, which helps prevent horrible violent crimes like Laura’s murder.
What Are the Strict Legal Criteria for Laura’s Law?
In order to qualify for assisted outpatient treatment, you must meet all the legal requirements. According to the Nevada County California’s Health and Human Services Agency, the list of strict legal criteria for Laura’s Law includes:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Currently suffering from the effects of a mental illness
- Condition is deteriorating
- Unlikely to survive safely in the community without outside help
- Hospitalized for mental illness twice within the past 36 months
- Engaged in a violent act (or threatened an act of violence) towards yourself or others in the past 48 months
- Presented with the opportunity to receive mental health treatment but failed to act upon it
- A medical health professional has determined you need supervision
- Believed that you will benefit from assisted outpatient treatment
- Believed that assisted outpatient treatment is necessary to prevent 5150 condition
Once you or a loved one has met all the necessary requirements under Laura’s Law, you can start receiving assisted outpatient treatment. A criminal defense attorney from the Simmrin Law Group can help provide the best defense for your case by arguing that you need assisted outpatient treatment rather than strict penalties like jail time and fines.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
How Do You Request Assisted Outpatient Treatment?
A request for assisted outpatient treatment can only come from a handful of people in order to be considered properly. This list of people includes:
- An adult that you currently live with
- Family members such as a parent, spouse, children, or siblings,
- Law enforcement, such as a parole or probation officer
- A director of a public or private agency providing you with psychiatric care
- A hospital director who is providing you with psychiatric care
- A licensed medical professional who is providing you with care or supervision.
- A criminal defense attorney
From this list of people who can request assisted outpatient treatment, please note that you are not allowed to request it for yourself. Get in touch with a loved one or a criminal defense attorney if you wish to receive mental health services for your ongoing mental health condition.
Once a petition for assisted outpatient treatment has been filed, a court hearing will be held to determine if intervention and treatment are necessary. It will also be determined what type of treatment is best for you and your current condition. Throughout this whole process, you are allowed to have legal representation. This means it would be a good idea to have a criminal defense attorney from the Simmrin Law Group help defend you.
What Exactly Does Assisted Outpatient Treatment Entail?
Assisted outpatient treatment involves being supervised by mental health professionals 24/7 at a treatment center. You will move into a facility, receive therapy services, take specific medications based on your condition, and engage with others who are going through similar situations to yours. These mental health services have also proven to help those suffering greatly from mental illness.
According to the California Department of Healthcare Services, homelessness has decreased by 35% during assisted outpatient treatment. Hospitalizations have decreased by 39% and law enforcement contacts have decreased by 45%. These metrics show that Laura’s Law has helped California communities rebuild and grow stronger by helping those who are in dire need of mental health services.
Not only are communities made better by assisted outpatient treatment programs, but those suffering from mental illness also come out of the programs acting less violently and feeling like themselves again. Many of the patients have also thrived in their lives after being released. At least 4 of the counties involved with assisted outpatient treatment programs have reported gainful employment and education opportunities for their patients.
Should You Settle for Assisted Outpatient Treatment or Try and Fight It?
When you are on trial for committing a crime, and someone has requested that you receive assisted outpatient treatment, you will have a court hearing over the whole ordeal. Some individuals will try and fight the request for assisted outpatient treatment. They either believe that they do not suffer from a mental illness or that they do not need intensive care and treatment for their condition. Do not make the same mistake as those people.
You and your defense lawyer should advocate for assisted outpatient treatment. This is because it will not only help you recover from your worsening mental condition but also protect those around you from more potential acts of violence. Also, assisted outpatient treatment is a better option than having to suffer from other penalties such as hefty fines, prison time, and parole.
Although receiving aid and supervision from mental health services might seem overwhelming, you and your defense attorney should settle for this legal outcome rather than try and fight it.
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How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help You?
First off, according to California’s Department of Healthcare Services and the latest year of reporting, 2,352 Californians were referred to assisted outpatient treatment through Laura’s Law. This means there are thousands of others who have gone through a similar situation to yours.
A criminal defense lawyer from the Simmrin Law Group can help prevent you from suffering harsh punishments for your crimes by referring you to assisted outpatient treatment. They can also help uphold your legal rights through the litigation process and trials, so get in touch with Simmrin Law Group today to discuss your options going forward.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form