Camarillo mental health lawyers have specialized in helping individuals with psychological conditions for 19 years. We make it easier for clients and their families to work within the legal system, especially when those clients need help addressing wrongful criminal charges.
Don’t panic if you’re struggling with a wrongful 5150 or 5250 hold or need help challenging California’s criminal charges. Simmrin Law Group can fight for your right to compassionate care. Our Camarillo criminal defense lawyer has decades of legal experience and is ready to craft a criminal defense on your behalf.
Fighting Back Against Police Mistreatment
It’s rare for California police officers to get the training they need to address someone’s mental health concerns, especially when those concerns make themselves known in public. That lack of understanding can lead officers to worsen a person’s mental health episode.
Matters grow more complicated when officers have to confront someone with a mental health condition who they believe has committed a crime. Officers’ mistreatment of people with mental health conditions can lead to aggressive arrests and wrongful imprisonments.
However, there’s good news for defendants and their families. Our Camarillo criminal defense lawyers are here to help you challenge wrongful arrests. You can also work with our team to undertake:
- Civil rights cases and discrimination claims: If you’ve faced discrimination after disclosing a mental health condition, our team can help you assert your right to equal protection.
- Disability benefits claims: We can help you file for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and other disability benefits.
- Guardianship and conservatory proceedings: We help clients requiring a conservator or guardian to take care of their property.
- Involuntary commitment proceedings: We help clients overcome wrongful 5150 and 5250 holds.
- Criminal defense cases: If California officers want to charge you with a crime, our mental health lawyers in Camarillo, CA, can challenge their accusations and advocate for your right to alternative care.
For a free legal consultation with a mental health lawyer serving Camarillo, call (310) 896-2723
What You Should Know About 5150 and 5250 Holds
Because California police officers don’t fully understand how to help someone with their mental health concerns, they may wrongfully place someone under a 5150 hold. A 5150 hold allows the state of California to involuntarily detain a person in need of services for up to 72 hours.
Ideally, these holds would see a person receive the mental health care they need to restabilize after a concerning incident. In reality, officers can misuse 5150 holds. These holds can make people endure psychiatric abuse even before they face accusations of criminal misconduct.
After those 72 hours, officers and psychiatric professionals can assess a person’s mental well-being. If these parties believe a person needs additional treatment, they can enact a 5250 hold. 5250 holds can see a person involuntarily held for up to 14 days. In total, these holds can imprison someone for 17 days.
Camarillo Mental Health Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
How to Challenge Wrongful 5150 and 5250 Holds
You do not have to resign yourself to a wrongful 5150 or 5250 hold. You have the right to contact a Camarillo, CA, mental health lawyer while in the care of a psychiatric facility. You additionally have the right to the following:
- A fair judicial review of your detainment
- Habeas corpus
- An explanation for your detainment
- The opportunity to refuse medication in a non-emergency situation
- Chances to speak and visit with people who come to see you during your detainment
You also have the right to file care grievances, particularly in instances where a psychiatric care facility mistreats you.
When challenging a 5150 or 5250 hold, our team questions the state’s understanding of what danger, if any, you pose to yourself or others. We can also represent you during a 5250 certification review hearing so the state can’t wrongfully extend your detainment.
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What to Expect From a Camarillo Mental Health Lawyer
Our Camarillo criminal defense lawyers want to make navigating the criminal court system as easy as possible for you and your loved ones. We also want our clients with mental health concerns to retain their rights to financial support and fair treatment, particularly in the face of societal or officer mistreatment.
With those wants in mind, we offer people in your position a wide range of legal services. You can count on our representation during 5150 and 5250 holds, during which we can advocate for your right to reasonable treatment, assessment, and release. We can further:
- Defend you against wrongful criminal charges
- Help you and your family comply with a court’s demands
- Ensure that the court doesn’t violate your civil rights
- Advocate for your right to consequences that account for a mental health condition
You can discuss which services best suit your recovery during a private consultation with our staff.
Advocacy for Your Right to Alternative Treatments
If the state of California tries to convict you of criminal misconduct, we can advocate for your right to participate in alternatives to imprisonment. One of the most helpful alternatives is known as a mental health diversion program.
Mental health diversion programs allow individuals with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and PTSD to participate in mental health care as an alternative to traditional imprisonment. You may qualify for participation in a mental health diversion program if you:
- Have one of the conditions above or another qualifying mental illness
- You have proof indicating that your mental health condition contributed to your alleged crime
- You admit that your mental health condition makes you a danger to yourself or others
- You waive your right to a speedy trial
If a court approves your right to participate in a mental health diversion program, you can expect your treatment to last between six months and two years. Many programs offer funding assistance to residents who might struggle to afford treatment.
Competent Defenses Against Wrongful Charges
If you’re held under a 5150 hold and accused of a crime, our attorneys can step in and craft a defense on your behalf.
Even if you don’t qualify for a mental health diversion program, we can point out ways officers may have inappropriately responded to your mental health condition. In doing so, we can give the court a reason to reduce or drop the charges brought against you.
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Book a Private Defense Assessment With Simmrin Law Group Today
California’s police officers do not always treat people with mental illnesses fairly. If you have a condition officers don’t understand, you may face wrongful 5150 or 5250 holds. Officers may even compound any criminal charges they try to bring against you based on misconceptions about your condition.
You don’t have to fight back against holds or criminal charges alone. You can work with a mental health attorney in Camarillo, CA, to defend yourself against wrongful accusations. Our team can ensure that you’re treated fairly as your case proceeds. We can also advocate for your right to alternatives to imprisonment and mental health treatment.
Contact our team for a private defense consultation today.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form