The LA Public Defender’s Office has been a fierce advocate and progressive participant in the development and implementation of programs for individuals who, because of mental illness, have become involved in the legal system. The Public Defenders Office is invested in working towards the goal of providing mental health treatment as an alternative to incarceration at the onset of a mental health crisis, diverting individuals into community treatment and providing support for independent living. Collaborating with the Department of Health Services, the Office of Diversion and Reentry, the Department of Mental Health and other County agencies, we provide a wide array of civil and criminal representation services to our clients. We represent thousands of clients annually in the Mental Health Court who are subject to criminal and/or mental health commitments throughout the county. Attorneys, psychiatric social workers and paralegals provide a holistic approach to advance the interests and well-being of clients with a mental illness. Our Advocacy includes:
We represent thousands of individuals, including minors, who, because of a mental illness, cannot take care of their food, shelter or clothing, and the Public Guardian has petitioned the Court to place them on a conservatorship.
Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is a program authorized by the Legislature to allow court-ordered outpatient treatment for adults with serious mental illness and a history of treatment noncompliance who are at substantial risk for deteriorating and/or involuntary hospitalization or incarceration.
A person who was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the criminal proceeding is represented by a member of our Mental Health Unit in court proceedings to determine whether the individual’s commitment for treatment should be extended, or if the individual should be released.
We have dedicated psychiatric social workers embedded in jails to facilitate the flow of information between clients and the attorneys representing them. The liaison engages directly with a client to encourage them to make their court appearance and link them to outside services.
We provide counsel for those who seek immediate release from an involuntary commitment to a psychiatric hospital as a result of the extension of a Welfare and Institution Code Section 5150 hold.
If a person with a mental illness is eligible for release from State prison, but the mental health team treating them believes they remain a danger to themselves or others, the state can petition to prevent their release and continue custodial mental health treatment. We are appointed to represent these individuals.
