When the court system questions someone’s mental state, the outcome can shape their entire future. These cases require focus, urgency, and an advocate who understands both the law and the science.
A skilled mental health lawyer from Simmrin Law Group knows how to challenge assumptions, protect your rights, and fight for your freedom. We represent clients across Southern California, including Orange County, with decades of trial experience and an unshakable belief in second chances.
As Newport Beach mental health lawyers, we step in quickly and stay hands-on, handling everything from psychiatric evaluations to hearings that determine whether someone will remain in custody or be released.
Understanding 5150 Holds, 5250 Holds, and 5250 Hearings
There are three critical stages in California when someone may be detained for a mental health evaluation. Each one brings unique legal challenges:
- 5150 Hold: This is a short-term observation used when mental health professionals believe someone might pose a danger to themselves or others. It can last up to 72 hours and does not require court involvement, but may lead to further detention.
- 5250 Hold: After the initial 72-hour period, a facility can request an additional 14-day involuntary hold if they believe the person remains a danger or is gravely disabled. This requires a higher level of proof and oversight.
- 5250 Hearing: Also called a probable cause hearing, this proceeding determines whether there’s enough evidence to justify the extended hold. It’s your chance to challenge the facility’s findings, call witnesses, and present your side of the story.
We attend these hearings with our clients, review all records, and demand accountability from healthcare providers. When someone’s freedom is on the line, every detail matters.
For a free legal consultation with a mental health lawyer serving Newport Beach, call (310) 896-2723
Why You Need a Newport Beach Mental Health Attorney
Involuntary commitment doesn’t just affect the present—it leaves a permanent mark. These records may impact future employment, immigration status, child custody, or even the right to own firearms.
A Newport Beach mental health attorney helps protect your legal standing and your future. Without experienced representation, individuals often face biased evaluations, miscommunication between doctors and families, or legal errors that go unchallenged.
We work directly with mental health professionals, obtain complete records, and challenge recommendations that don’t align with the facts. We also provide clear, honest guidance so clients and families understand what’s happening at every step.
Newport Beach Mental Health Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
We Handle a Wide Range of Mental Health Legal Issues
Mental health law affects many areas beyond hospitalization. At Simmrin Law Group, we represent clients dealing with:
- Involuntary psychiatric holds and hearings
- Conservatorship disputes
- Criminal charges involving mental health defenses
- Court-ordered treatment
- Mental health diversion programs under California law
- Psychiatric evaluations for family court cases
Our team knows how to challenge faulty evaluations, confront misleading diagnoses, and present real evidence that supports your position. Whether you’re fighting to end a hold, protect a family member, or avoid criminal sentencing based on mental health concerns, we are ready.
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Mental Health and Criminal Charges in California
Many clients reach out to us after an arrest. In some cases, law enforcement has flagged mental health concerns as a reason for detention or for referring a case to the mental health court. These situations require a lawyer who knows how to handle both the criminal defense side and the mental health element at once.
Our attorneys defend clients facing charges like:
- Assault or battery connected to a psychiatric episode
- Trespassing or resisting arrest during a mental health crisis
- Drug charges tied to untreated conditions
- Domestic violence cases involving psychological diagnoses
We argue for mental health diversion when appropriate and work with experts who can speak to the underlying causes of the alleged behavior. If you qualify for a treatment-based resolution under California Penal Code § 1001.36, we will guide you through the process.
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Why Choose Simmrin Law Group?
We built our firm to help people who feel outmatched. Whether you’re going up against the criminal system, hospital administrators, or state evaluators, we make sure you never have to do it alone.
Our firm brings decades of experience in trial litigation, crisis intervention, and legal advocacy across California. We don’t treat mental health cases as minor side matters—they get the same preparation and attention as serious felony trials.
We investigate every angle, challenge weak evidence, and focus on results that protect your freedom, your dignity, and your future. With offices based in Los Angeles and clients across Orange County, we know how the local systems work—and how to push back when they fail.
When to Call a Mental Health Lawyer
Call as soon as a hold is issued. If you’re a family member, don’t wait until the 5250 hearing is underway. Early legal involvement makes it easier to collect documentation, interview staff, and prepare a strong case for release.
You should also contact a Newport Beach mental health lawyer if:
- You or a loved one has been placed on a 5150 or 5250 hold
- A hospital refuses to release someone even after the hold period
- You’re preparing for a conservatorship hearing
- Mental health is being used to influence a custody or criminal case
- You’ve been denied entry to a mental health diversion program
Even one bad decision can change the direction of someone’s life. That’s why we move quickly, investigate thoroughly, and fight back when your rights are being ignored.
Talk to a Newport Beach Mental Health Lawyer Today
Legal cases involving mental health require more than compassion—they require strategy, experience, and persistence. At Simmrin Law Group, we give every case the attention it deserves, with a team that knows how to go up against institutions, prosecutors, and providers.
If you or someone you care about is facing a 5250 hold, a court hearing, or any legal issue tied to mental health, don’t wait to act. A Newport Beach mental health lawyer from our team will stand by your side and fight for a better outcome.
Call Simmrin Law Group now to speak with a lawyer who understands what you’re facing—and knows how to help.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form