At times, an adult may need court intervention in order to receive needed services.  This occurs most often when the adult with the disability does not see the need for treatment, while family and friends are concerned. Wisconsin State Law provides for civil commitment of a person.  This procedure allows a court to order that the person with the disability take medications, attend counseling, or even enter a psychiatric inpatient center.

The required criteria to determine the need for commitment is that a person must be:

• Mentally ill or developmentally disabled,
• “A proper subject for treatment”, and
• Dangerous to themselves or others.

Dangerous to themselves includes self neglect (not providing themselves with proper shelter, medical care, nourishment, etc), or impaired judgment. This may also include evidence of recent threats or attempts at suicide or serious bodily harm.

A “proper subject for treatment” means that the person can be proven to be treatable—that the symptoms could be improved or controlled.

Civil commitments can be started in three ways:

• By a law enforcement officer,
• Three adults, at least one of which has first knowledge of the person to be committed,
• Or by a medical professional in a psychiatric hospital where the person is already receiving voluntary treatment.

For more information, contact Information and Assistance at 638-6321.