MENTAL HEALTH

ORDERS TO APPREHEND

The Probate Judge may issue an order commanding any peace officer to take such person into custody and deliver him/her to the nearest emergency receiving facility for examination.  This order is commonly referred to as an "Order to Apprehend," because it directs law enforcement to apprehend the person and take them for examination.  The order is directed to any peace officer and is delivered to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, where it is valid for 7 days after the date of issuance.  The Court does not issue orders for persons who are currently incarcerated or in the hospital, as there are remedies available.  An Order to Apprehend issued by the Probate Court is for an evaluation only.  It is not a guarantee of treatment or admittance into any hospital facility.  

REQUIREMENTS

  1. Affidavits of at least 2 witnesses. (Affidavits are completed in the Probate Court.)
  2. Both Affiants must have seen the person in the preceding 48 hours.

       3. Based upon the observations contained in the Affidavits, the Affiants have reason to believe such person requires involuntary treatment because that person is:                                                                                     

               i. a mentally ill person

               ii. an alcoholic,

               iii. a drug dependent individual, or

               iv. a drug abuser

        4. The person must be located in Jefferson County.

        5. The person must be at least 17 years of age or older.  (Jurisdiction for those 16 and younger is in Juvenile Court.)

        6. The OTA Hearing is completed by Judge of the Probate Court. 

 HOURS OF ACCEPTANCE

Order to apprehend are accepted anytime during normal business hours. 

If you have any further questions, please contact our office at (478) 625-3258 or in person at 202 E. Broad Street, Louisville, GA 30434.

FEES

  • There is no fee for an Order to Apprehend.

AFTER HOURS ACCEPTANCE

In the event help is needed and the probate court is not open, please call the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225 or visit them on the web at http://mygcal.com.  

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 9-1-1.

You can also visit the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities at http://dbhdd.georgia.gov.

Help is available 24/7 for problems with mental health, drugs, or alcohol.