Blount County Probate

Involuntary Commitments


Involuntary Commitments in Alabama

What should I do if I believe someone needs treatment for mental illness? 

Call 911 for emergency assistance if the person is actively suicidal, dangerous, or if it is a medical emergency.  If it is not an emergency, take the person to your local mental health center or mental health hospital if he or she will go voluntarily.  If the person refuses help and you believe they are a danger to themselves or to others, contact the Probate Judge’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, mental health center, or your attorney for instructions on how to initiate an involuntary commitment proceeding.

What is an Involuntary Commitment?  
A procedure whereby a person is involuntarily  placed in the custody of the State Department of Mental Health for treatment.  A person cannot be committed due to a drug or alcohol problem.  The law specifically states that such problems do not constitute a mental illness for purposes of this act.

What elements must be present in order to involuntarily commit a person to an inpatient mental health facility? 
Clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence that: the respondent is mentally ill; and because of the mental illness the person
poses a real and present threat of substantial harm to himself or to others; and respondent will continue to experience mental
distress and deterioration of ability to function independently if not treated; and respondent is unable to make a rational
decision regarding treatment. 

A recent overt act of dangerousness is not required.  Nonetheless, the court must be convinced that there is a substantial likelihood that the person possesses a danger to oneself or to others. Treatment is available for the person's mental illness or confinement is necessary to prevent the person from causing substantial harm to oneself or to others; and commitment is the least restrictive alternative available.

Who may file a petition to initiate an involuntary commitment proceeding?  
Any person may seek to have another person committed by filing a petition with the Probate Court in accordance with Section 22-52-1.2 of the Code of Alabama.

What must the petition contain?  

Where is the petition filed?  
In the probate court in the county where the  respondent is located.

Evidence
Expert witnesses testify on a petition to commit since the petitioner must prove that the person is mentally ill and other elements that would seem to call for an opinion beyond that of a family member or friend. 

A family member or friend may testify as to their opinion on a person's sanity as long as they have had
adequate opportunity to observe that respondent's conduct is either normal or abnormal behavior.

A licensed general practitioner of medicine is considered an expert under Alabama law and may render expert testimony on a person's sanity.

Must the court appoint attorneys to represent the parties involved in an involuntary commitment proceeding? 
for the respondent:  yes, if such person lacks the mental ability to secure the services of an attorney or if such  person lacks the funds to employ an
attorney.
for the petitioner:  yes, the court must appoint an attorney to advocate the petition to commit.  The petitioner may employ an attorney on their own to appear in lieu of the appointed attorney. if petition is denied, the petitioners may be required to pay all costs of the proceedings.

To whom must the court send notice of the commitment proceeding? 
Notice must be served on the respondent and the Mental Health Department or other facility where the petition seeks to have the person committed.

What is the procedure to be followed at the hearing?  

  1. the respondent has the right to be present unless waived (in writing) or presence would keep hearings from being conducted in an
  2. orderly manner, or the respondent’s attendance would be dangerous to the respondent’s physical or mental health.
  3. hearing is to be held by probate judge without a jury.
  4. the hearings are to be open to the public unless requested otherwise by the respondent
  5. a full transcript of the hearing must be kept for three years.
  6. the Alabama Rules of Evidence apply.
  7. the respondent has the right to offer evidence, and to compel witnesses and the right to cross-examine.
  8. respondent may testify in his own behalf but cannot be forced to testify against himself.
  9. commitment is granted only if the elements required for commitment are established by clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence.

What are the results of the hearing? 
If commitment is granted, the order shall be entered for outpatient treatment or inpatient treatment.  The least restrictive alternative necessary and available for the treatment of the respondent's mental illness shall be ordered.  Inpatient treatment may be ordered at a state mental health facility or a designated mental health facility.  Outpatient treatment may be ordered at a designated mental health facility if said facility consents to treat the respondent on an outpatient basis.

Why must the preceding procedure be rigidly followed? 
The preceding procedure sets out the minimum requirements necessary for the commitment process to be constitutional under the procedural and substantive due process clause. 

What follows an initial commitment?  


What are some alternatives to Involuntary Commitments? 

This list of alternatives is not an exhaustive list.  These alternatives vary as to the amount of supervision involved and whether that alternative is appropriate will depend upon the specific facts involved.  Each of these alternatives are voluntary and require the approval of the person sought to be committed.

This pamphlet, which is based on Alabama Law is to inform and not to advise.  No person should ever apply or interpret any law without the aid of a lawyer who analyzes the facts, because the facts may change the application of the law.

2009 Prepared by the Alabama Law Institute for the Alabama Probate Judges’ Association