Were you or a loved one placed on a 5150 hold? Involuntary psychiatric holds can be even more traumatic than the event that originally resulted in the hold in the first place, but it’s not an experience you have to handle on your own. It all starts with calling a Redondo Beach mental health lawyer.
At Simmrin Law Group, our attorneys have decades of experience helping thousands of clients who were held involuntarily because they were a danger to themselves or others. In some cases, 5150 holds are put in place if someone is disabled due to a mental health crisis.
Either way, these holds can be confusing and stressful, but we can help you as your Redondo Beach 5150 holds lawyer. We’re here to explain the legal side of things, provide you with guidance, and make sure your rights are protected throughout the entire process.
How a 5150 Hold Gets Started
Under California state laws, a hold often begins when a peace officer, a designated member of a mobile crisis team, or certain mental health professionals determine there is probable cause, meaning someone meets the statutory criteria for a hold.
Here’s what the 5150 hold criteria usually include:
- The person is likely to harm themselves as a result of a mental health disorder
- The person is likely to harm others
- The person is gravely disabled
The last point means that the person in question is unable to provide for their basic personal needs of food, clothing, or shelter as a result of a mental health disorder.
You can always consult with a Redondo Beach mental health lawyer to understand your rights and make sure the evaluation—as well as the rest of the hold process—was carried out properly according to California state laws.
For a free legal consultation with a 5150 holds lawyer serving Redondo Beach, call (310) 896-2723
What Happens During the Hold’s 72-Hour Period?
Once the hold is initiated, you will likely be transported to a designated psychiatric evaluation facility approved under California law. The hold gives hospital and crisis staff members up to 72 hours to assess and then stabilize you.
Here’s what usually happens during those 75 hours:
- A formal written application is completed.
- The facility starts to assess, evaluate, and intervene as needed.
- The person is informed of their rights under the law.
It is also important for survivors of the hold or their family members to know that the hold is not an automatic guarantee of extended inpatient treatment. This is true even though these hours are often viewed as a crisis window.
The outcome of the hold will depend on the results of the evaluation. Your Redondo Beach 5150 holds attorneys can help you understand California mental health holds and figure out what to expect in your situation in particular.
Redondo Beach 5150 Holds Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Possible Outcomes Once the 72 Hours End
When the 72-hour hold comes to an end, one of these three options will likely be the outcome in your situation:
- The person is released: This is an available option if it is determined that you no longer meet the criteria for involuntary hold, meaning you’re not a risk to yourself or others, nor are you gravely disabled.
- They may be transitioned into voluntary treatment: This is where you can either choose to remain in a facility or enter outpatient care.
- They might be held for a longer period: If medical staff believe the criteria for a hold are still met, an extended hold under Welfare & Institutions Code § 5250 may be put into place, resulting in an additional 14-day involuntary stay.
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How Redondo Beach & Los Angeles County Add Context To Your Case
Because you’re dealing with the South Bay and Los Angeles regions, several local factors come into play:
- Availability: Los Angeles County has a large number of 5150 holds each year, and there is a lot of demand for crisis services. This can impact wait times, facility availability, and discharge-planning resources.
- Housing costs and homelessness: These risks are elevated in the region. When someone is declared gravely disabled because of their inability to meet their own housing, food, or clothing needs, the local context may amplify these issues.
- Transport and access: Due to local traffic and the area’s geography, being relocated from Redondo Beach to a designated psychiatric facility can present you with logistical or timing-related delays, especially if you don’t have your own means of transportation.
- Transportation by peace officers or mobile crisis teams: The availability of mobile crisis intervention teams in the South Bay can influence how quickly a crisis call is addressed and whether or not the person is transported to a facility.
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Contact Our Redondo Beach 5150 Holds Law Firm to Get Legal Help With Your Case
If you or someone you love was placed on a 5150 hold, Simmrin Law Group is here to help. This can be such a confusing time, especially when you’re not familiar with involuntary holds and you’re feeling overwhelmed by the situation.
A mental health crisis can be hard for everyone involved, no matter if you’re the one directly experiencing it or you’re trying to support someone through one. We know how upsetting this situation can be, but our Redondo Beach 5150 holds attorneys have what it takes to help.
Let us guide you through the legal process, advocate for your rights, and protect you every step of the way. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can start providing you with the help and support you need.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form