Civil Commitment

Civil Commitment is a legal process through which an individual with symptoms of severe mental illness is court-ordered into treatment in a hospital (inpatient), or in the community (outpatient). All citizens have civil liberties that need to be protected under both federal and state laws, so following “due process” is the most important. Treatment is not punishment! The state may need to take away some civil liberties because an individual presents a danger to self or others due to mental illness.

Child/adolescent process

A clear and separate civil commitment of a child/adolescent exists in Utah statute and rule. Separate standards, paperwork and procedures are also used. In the commitment of a child/adolescent, the Designated Examiner may also be referred to as a Neutral & Detached Fact Finder (NDFF). This person should not be involved in the child’s treatment. 26B-5-403

Adult process

Civil commitment forms

Adult civil commitment requires an examination by a “Designated Examiner.” If the examination finds that a person meets the “substantial danger” criteria, a court of law orders them to be committed to the care of the local mental health authority, to receive the appropriate treatment.

Court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment (aot) forms

Senate Bill 39 Court-ordered AOT, creates a path to get involved "before" a person becomes a substantial danger to self or others. However, the person must still meet specific criteria to be court-ordered into treatment.