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Mental Health

The Mental Health Department provides services for those facing mental health or substance abuse challenges. Petitions are accepted Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM.  Please note that you will need to bring your own valid photo ID and enough identifying information about the individual you are filing on to complete an information sheet (their date of birth is required).

The individual you are filing on must be located in Duval County.

What is the Baker Act?
What is the Baker Act?
A Baker Act proceeding is a means of providing an individual with emergency service for mental health evaluation (known as examination) and/or treatment (known as placement). The provisions of the Baker Act are outlined in Chapter 394 of the Florida Statutes
Who Can file a petition for involuntary examination and what is the filing fee?
Who Can file a petition for involuntary examination and what is the filing fee?

Any party over 18 years of age with firsthand knowledge, who believes that the person is a danger to themselves or others, may file a petition for involuntary examination. There are no fees to initiate a Baker Act proceeding. 

Can I file my petition online?
Can I file my petition online?

Yes, you may file using the statewide efiling portal available at myflcourtaccess.com.

Please use the Baker Act Petition form.

If my petition is approved by the judge, what happens next?
If my petition is approved by the judge, what happens next?
If the Judge grants the request for an involuntary examination, the order will be forwarded to the Sheriff’s Office for a service attempt. If the respondent is served, they will be delivered to the nearest receiving facility. If you have an approved order, you may also call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at (904) 630-0500 and ask that an officer meet you to serve the Respondent. You may be required to produce a copy of the signed order.
How long is an approved order valid?
How long is an approved order valid?
An order for Involuntary Examination is valid for 7 days unless otherwise specified in the order.
What if the order is not served?  
What if the order is not served?  
The order is only enforceable for the period specified in the order. If the order is not served during this period, it will expire and you will need to submit a new petition. 
After the respondent is delivered to the receiving facility, how long will they stay?
After the respondent is delivered to the receiving facility, how long will they stay?
After the Respondent is delivered to the receiving facility, they may be held for 1 to 72 hours. If, after examining the Respondent, the administrator of the receiving facility recommends that the Respondent receive involuntary services, they may be retained by the facility.
Baker Act Receiving Facilities
Baker Act Receiving Facilities
  • Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville
    • 800 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207
    • (904) 202-2000
 
  • Memorial Hospital of Jacksonville
    • 3625 University Boulevard South Jacksonville, FL 32216
    • (904) 702-6111
 
  • Mental Health Resource Center - North
    • 3333 West 20th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32254
    • (904) 695-9145
 
  • Mental Health Resource Center - South
    • 11820 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32246
    • (904) 642-9100
 
  • River Point Behavioral Health
    • 6300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32216
    • (904) 724-9202
 
  • UF Health Jacksonville (Shands Jacksonville)
    • 655 West 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209
    • (904) 244-0411
 
  • Wekiva Springs, LLC
    • 3947 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32216
    • (904) 296-3533

Marchman Act

What is the Marchman Act?
What is the Marchman Act?

The Marchman Act is a Florida law that allows for the involuntary assessment and stabilzation of individuals struggling with substance abuse. It enables family members or other concerned individuals to petititon the court for an order requiring an individual to undergo substance abuse assessment and/or treatement, even if they are unwilling to seek help themselves. 

To be eligible for involuntary service placement, an individual must meet the following criteria for admission: there is good faith reason to believe the person is substance abuse impaired and, because of such impairment has lost the power of self-control with respect to substance use; and either has inflicted, or threatened or attempted to inflict, or unless admitted is likely to inflict, physical harm on himself or herself or another; or Is in need of substance abuse services and, by reason of substance abuse impairment, his or her judgment has been so impaired that the person is incapable of appreciating his or her need for such services.

The provisions of the Marchman Act are outlined in Chapter 397 of the Florida Statutes.  
 

Who can file a Petition for Marchman Act? 
Who can file a Petition for Marchman Act? 

The Marchman Act can be initiated by a spouse, a legal guardian, any relative, or three concerned unrelated adults with personal knowledge of the individual's substance abuse impairment. Additionally, a licensed service provider or their director can also file a petition.

For minors, the petition can only be filed by their parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, or a licensed service provider.

Can I file my petition online?
Can I file my petition online?

Yes, you may file using the statewide efiling portal available at myflcourtaccess.com.

Please use the Marchman Act Petition form.

Can I file a March Act against a minor?
Can I file a March Act against a minor?
Yes, but if the Respondent is a minor, the case may only be initiated by the minor’s parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, or a licensed service provider. After the petition is filed, a hearing will be scheduled.
What are the filing options?
What are the filing options?
Detox Option
You may request that the Respondent be taken to Gateway for detox. If approved, the order is only enforceable for 7 days unless otherwise specified. 

Court Date Option
You may file a petition, and a hearing will be scheduled with the Magistrate. A summons will be issued, and the Sheriff’s Office will attempt to serve the Respondent. If the Respondent is served, the Magistrate will determine if the party will be ordered by the Court to complete an assessment. 
If I choose the detox option, what happens after I file my petition?
If I choose the detox option, what happens after I file my petition?
If the order is approved, the Sheriff’s Office will attempt to serve the Respondent at the address you provide on your information sheet, and they will attempt to deliver them to Gateway.
What happens if the Respondent is served with a notice to appear and fails to appear? 
What happens if the Respondent is served with a notice to appear and fails to appear? 
The court may dismiss the case, reschedule the hearing, or may enter a writ of bodily attachment for the respondent to be brought to the proceeding. 
What happens if I choose the court date option and the Respondent is not served with the summons?
What happens if I choose the court date option and the Respondent is not served with the summons?
The Court may dismiss the case or reset the hearing.

Additionally, if the petitioner fails to appear at the hearing the case may be dismissed. 
 
Marchman Act Receiving Facilities
Marchman Act Receiving Facilities
  • Gateway
    • 555 Stockton Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204
    • (877) 389-9966
 
  • Tides Edge Detox Center * assessments only
    • 1597 The Greens Way, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
    • (904) 593-9353

Exploitation of Vulnerable Adult

What is a Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult?
What is a Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult?

A Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult is filed to seek a court order to protect a vulnerable adult from financial or other types of exploitation. This petition is filed when there is reasonable cause to believe an adult is being, or is in imminent danger of being, exploited.

A vulnerable adult is a person 65 years of age or older whose ability to perform the normal activities of daily living or to provide for his or her own care or protection is impaired due to a mental, emotional, sensory, long-term physical, or developmental disability or dysfunction, or brain damage, or the infirmities of aging.

The provisions of this petition can be found in Chapter 825 of the Florida Statutes.

Who can file a Petition for Injunction Against Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult?
Who can file a Petition for Injunction Against Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult?

A vulnerable adult in imminent danger of being exploited, the guardian of a vulnerable adult who is in imminent danger of being exploited, a person or organization acting with consent of the vulnerable adult, their guardian, an agent under a valid durable power of attorney with the authority specifically granted in the power of attorney, or a person who simultaneously files a petition for determination of incapacity and appointment of an emergency temporary guardian with respect to the vulnerable adult.

What constitutes exploitation? 
What constitutes exploitation? 

Depriving the vulnerable adult of his or her funds or property, depriving the vulnerable adult with diminished capacity of funds or property, breach of a fiduciary duty to the vulnerable adult, bank account misuse, or failure to provide necessities.

Where can I file the petition? 
Where can I file the petition? 

If a guardianship is pending, the petition must be filed in that case; otherwise, it must be filed in the county where the vulnerable adult resides.

Can I file the petition online?
Can I file the petition online?

Yes, you may file using the statewide efiling portal available at myflcourtaccess.com.

Please use the Vulnerable Adult Petition form.

What happens after the petition is filed? 
What happens after the petition is filed? 
The court will review the petition and may grant a temporary injunction, deny the petition with a hearing, or dismiss the petition. If a temporary injunction is approved, or the case is set for a hearing, the hearing will occur within 15 days.

Additional Resources

  • ADA Accommodations
    • Crtintrp@coj.net
    • 904-255-1695
  • Adult Protective Services Abuse Hotline
    • 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
    • www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/adult-protective-services
  • Court Interpreter
    • Crtintrp@coj.net or 904-255-1695
  • Wolfson Children’s Hospital 24/7 Kids and Teens Helpline
    • 904-202-7900
    • or text LIFE to 741741
  • Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (non-emergency)
    • 904-630-0500
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
    • Call or text 988
    • www.988lifeline.org

Office Information

Mental Health Department

Office Hours
Monday through Friday (excluding holidays): 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, however we cease intake of new petitions at 4:00 PM

Mailing Address
Duval County Clerk of Courts
Attn: MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
501 West Adams Street, Room 2409
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Phone
(904) 255-1986

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