How can I get a judge to remand my 17 yr old son to a psychiatric hospital while he awaits his court date.?

Question

He has a 3/4 year history of mental illness. He has been hospitalized twice. Diagnosed with Major Depression disorder with pychotic, homicidal, suicidal tendensies. Although he can go for months at a time as though he is fine. When he snaps he disengages with reality. I do beleive he needs to be confined for his crime. My question is can he be confined where he is also being treated agressivly without the option of signing a AMA to get out.

Answer 1

If your question is valid do you really wanna get your answer from her. That's serious business.

Answer 2

Hi... the best thing i can think of is to stop enabling him to steal... lock up your purse, and valuables, if you are going to let him continue to live in your home. since he's 17, you could require him to start paying rent, even if it's only $20 or $30 a week..... which means getting a part time job, and expecting him to pay you every time HE gets paid. perhaps this will give him some idea of the value of a dollar, and keep him a little busier, so he doesn't have as much time to stray to drugs and stealing? also, expect him to do certain things around home every week, if you don't now -- he's old enough to do his own laundry, for example... REQUIRE him to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings at least once or twice a week.. it's only an hour per meeting, and it wont' kill him. hon, some of us have addiction problems, and i really don't know where it comes from... i am a recovering alcoholic and i've a lot of experience with addicts as well as alcoholics. i've noticed that a majority of people who have addiction issues also have emotional health problems... you did say your son was in therapy, but did he WANT help? therapy, rehab or a psychiatrist won't help until the he admits he has a problem and wants his life to change. i sure hope you get some good, useful answers here. i'd also suggest you go to an OPEN narcotics anonymous meeting in your area.. maybe attending an open meeting will give you an opportunity to ask questions of those who are recovering from similar problems as your son has, and will have sound, sensible suggestions for you. narcotics anonymous also has a website, for your info. god bless. P.S.. lecturing doesn't help.

Answer 3

been there/ done that, and had the holes in the walls to prove it. Is he presently under care of pdoc? (psychiatrist). Normally, court ordered inpatient is only when it is shown that they are in imminent danger to themself or something else... and if like my child, he can bottle that up if he smells a police car a block away. The problem is that many judges do NOT understand or accept mental illness. Major depression does not usually include aggression or psychosis, nor are antidepressants reccomended if bipolar is suspected, since they can aggravate. You need to be communicating with the medical professionals, but if outwardly "stable" (yes.. I do understand the contradiction there), you need someone good behind you. You also can contact the juvenile department and explain, they MIGHT have some leads.
I used to regularly use a website called child and adolescent bipolar foundation. They do now charge a fee, but that place literally saved my sanity, when NO ONE else understood. Other people really don't "get" those adjectives you used for his diagnosis. Months at a time suggest cycling. They also had many good files as for legal situations with unstable kids.
STRONGLY reccomend that site, if you can scrape up the fee.

Answer 4

Since you did not address his crime, I assume it was nothing major. Usually, at least in my state, if it is a crime during which the person seemed to be "out of sorts" they will send them to the State hospital for an emergency detention not to extent past 30 days. You could request an involuntary hospitalization. You would have to contact the mental health facility in your area to see what those requirements are. Is he still detained while awaiting his court date? If so, speak to the law enforcement agency holding him. I would definitely let them know that he has suicidal tendencies. If he does have the issues you stated, it would be important to find some help and treatment for him.

Good luck

Answer 5

Call your local mental health facility ask to speak to the intake person tell them everything you have told us. If you are not in an urban area this process may go smother. There are some laws to protect people from themselves. I have found the people at the mental health center very helpful they gave me the paper work and advised me on what would be required for the judge to take my recommendation to heart.

Answer 6

Depending on the state if he is committed, under any circumstances it will be up to a doctor to release him. Since he is under 18, all it should take is a counselor & parent to commit him to a state or county facility & released only when he complies with the programs requirements for release. This may or may not be used as a "reason he committed his crime"or "crimes".

Answer 7

File a petition in court for the custody of your son as a mentally ill person so that the proper government agency will take care of him. Prove the mental incapacity of your son with documents and certifcations from a doctor.

Answer 8

write a letter to tha judge

Answer 9

You know, that children are products of our repressed emotions,,,,, he is acting you out...... open up and have honest relations with him,,, LISTEN TO WHAT HE HAS TO SAY, or this will end badly..... it is in your hands,,,,,,

Answer 10

As a parent you can have him committed until he is evaluated...