Who can invoke the Florida Marchman Act to force someone they know into treatment?
A. A hearing is set before the court after a Petition for Involuntary Assessment and Stabilization is filed. That petition is basically saying, you’re basically saying “Judge, I want you to have this person assessed and stabilized.” Following this hearing the individual is held for up to 5 days for medical stabilization and assessment. Also, a recommendation is made to the court. Following that process a Petition for Treatment must be filed with the court and a second hearing held for the court to review the assessment and recommendation. Based upon that recommendation, the judge can then order a 60-day treatment period, with a possible 90-day extension if needed. If the addict exits treatment in violation of the judge’s order, we return to court and have the addict answer to the court as to why they did not comply with treatment and returned immediately for involuntarily care. If the addict refuses, we have them held in civil contempt of court for not following the treatment order and
