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.
Baker Act
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.
Yes, you may file using the statewide efiling portal available at myflcourtaccess.com.
Please use the Baker Act Petition form.
If you have filed your petition, but an order has not been entered, you may file a notarized Notice of Voluntary Dismissal.
- Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville
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- 800 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207
- (904) 202-2000
- Memorial Hospital of Jacksonville
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- 3625 University Boulevard South Jacksonville, FL 32216
- (904) 702-6111
- Mental Health Resource Center - North
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- 3333 West 20th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32254
- (904) 695-9145
- Mental Health Resource Center - South
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- 11820 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32246
- (904) 642-9100
- River Point Behavioral Health
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- 6300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32216
- (904) 724-9202
- UF Health Jacksonville (Shands Jacksonville)
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- 655 West 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209
- (904) 244-0411
- Wekiva Springs, LLC
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- 3947 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32216
- (904) 296-3533
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.
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.
Yes, you may file using the statewide efiling portal available at myflcourtaccess.com.
Please use the Marchman Act Petition form.
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.
Additionally, if the petitioner fails to appear at the hearing the case may be dismissed.
If you have filed a petition for a hearing, but no order has yet been entered, you may file a notarized Notice of Voluntary Dismissal.
- Gateway
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- 555 Stockton Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204
- (877) 389-9966
- Tides Edge Detox Center * assessments only
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- 1597 The Greens Way, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
- (904) 593-9353
Exploitation of 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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, you may file using the statewide efiling portal available at myflcourtaccess.com.
Please use the Vulnerable Adult Petition form.
Additional Resources
- ADA Accommodations
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- Crtintrp@coj.net
- 904-255-1695
- Adult Protective Services Abuse Hotline
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- 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
- www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/adult-protective-services
- Court Interpreter
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- Crtintrp@coj.net or 904-255-1695
- Wolfson Children’s Hospital 24/7 Kids and Teens Helpline
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- 904-202-7900
- or text LIFE to 741741
- Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (non-emergency)
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- 904-630-0500
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
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- 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