Criteria:

• A person may be the subject of a petition for court-ordered involuntary treatment if that person meets the criteria for involuntary admission provided in Florida Statute 397.675 and 397.693.

• A petition may be filed on an adult person by:



• The person’s spouse
• Guardian
• Any relative
• The director of a licensed service provider
• The director’s designee
• Any three adults who have personal knowledge of a person’s substance abuse impairment

• A petition may be filed on a minor by:



• A parent
• Legal guardian
• Legal custodian
• Licensed service provider

Procedure for an Adult:

• Petition and other paperwork to be completed at the Clerk’s Office



• The Court determines if it will grant or deny the petition with or without a hearing (exparte).



• If the Court grants the petition, a hearing is set within 10 days.



• The respondent will receive a court appointed attorney.



• The Notice of hearing will be serviced on the Respondent, guardian or legal custodian, the petitioner, the respondents souse or whomever the court may direct.



• The Court will hear all relevant evidence.



• The respondent must be present at the hearing unless it is waived by the court.



• At the hearing the petitioner(s) have the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence:



• The court will determine if the respondent is substance abuse impaired and because of such impairment has lost the power of self-control, or deny the petition.