New Orleans Commitments Attorneys

Attorney for Help With Mental Health Commitments in Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Mental health commitments can be a touchy subject, and rightfully so. While they can be an invaluable tool for aiding those with severe mental illnesses, they can also be abused. You may have reached a point with a loved one where you know that their mental illness or addiction is putting them at risk, and are prepared to take drastic steps to see them receive the treatment they need. Or, you may have become the subject of commitment proceedings filed in bad faith. Our lawyers are highly experienced in cases involving commitment, and we understand every part of Louisiana's commitment law thoroughly.

Brown Weimer, LLC, handles commitment cases with the utmost respect and sensitivity. We understand that if you are involved in these proceedings, you are probably under a great deal of stress. Our lawyers will strive to preserve the dignity of all persons involved in your case while aggressively representing you. We take the safety of you and your loved ones very seriously and will do everything in our power to achieve a favorable outcome for you.

Understanding Commitments in Louisiana

Commitments generally lack the permanency of an interdiction. Typically, commitments are designed as a short-term solution to force treatment for mental health or addiction issues upon a person who is endangered by their refusal to seek such treatment voluntarily. A successful petition for commitment may result in the respondent being ordered to attend drug rehabilitation or inpatient mental health care. It is generally understood that the respondent will be released back into the community upon successfully being treated for the issue that led to the commitment.

New Orleans Attorney Explains the Criteria for Commitment

The fact that a person has a mental illness alone is not grounds for a commitment. Roughly one out of every three people in the United States has some form of mental illness. Clearly, not all of them need to be committed. To successfully have a person judicially committed, it must be shown that they are a danger to themself. For example, if a person has overdosed on drugs several times, that fact pattern would likely support an assertion that the person is a hazard to themself. The self-endangerment must stem from mental illness or substance abuse.

We must also be able to help you show that the respondent would likely benefit from treatment. If the person is in such a condition that temporary treatment is unlikely to improve their symptoms, an interdiction may be more appropriate. For example, people addicted to drugs are often able to stay clean after treatment, and people with psychotic disorders often improve after being medicated for several weeks. A dementia patient, on the other hand, would not likely benefit from short-term treatment.

Deciding to Pursue a Commitment for a Loved One

Choosing to pursue a commitment for your loved one is a decision not to be made lightly. It is very likely that the person will initially be upset with you, although many are appreciative after they have been successfully treated. You likely know your loved one's situation very well and are in a good position to understand whether they are at risk without treatment. Our attorneys can help you evaluate your loved one's situation and symptoms to help you determine whether they likely meet the criteria for being committed.

Orleans Parish Lawyers Against Wrongful Commitment

Although most petitions for commitment are made in good faith, this is not always the case. Abusive or controlling spouses or family members may pursue commitment as a means of control, or to make good on a threat, rather than to help. If you are facing this terrifying situation, our attorneys will aggressively defend you and your rights.

Contact a New Orleans Commitment Lawyer

Brown Weimer, LLC, is experienced in assisting with commitment petitions and proceedings. We understand the powerful impact commitment cases can have, and we strive to guard the dignity and safety of all involved. Our caring but aggressive attorneys will fight to ensure the right result in your commitment case. Contact us online or call 504-561-8700 for a free consultation. We provide legal help to clients in metro New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, and St. Tammany Parish, and we also assist with legal matters in Lafourche Parish, St. John the Baptist Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Harvey, Mandeville, Thibodaux, Covington, Slidell, Houma, Kenner, Metairie, and Gretna.