Mental Health Crisis Legal Services
A crisis leaves no time to learn how the system works. A loved one is on psychiatric hold or in jail and no one will return calls. A hearing is set for tomorrow. A discharge is planned that everyone in the family knows is unsafe. Law enforcement or other agencies have been called and no one knows what happens next.
Our Crisis Legal Services are for matters that need a prompt legal assessment and, when the law allows, immediate action.
When Crisis Legal Services May Help
- A psychiatric hold is in place, and a hearing has been scheduled
- A loved one's condition is deteriorating quickly, and you are worried about their safety or the safety of others
- A loved one urgently needs treatment but is not getting it
- A hospital is preparing to discharge someone you believe is not safe to release
- Law enforcement or another agency is involved, and criminal charges are possible
- An urgent court proceeding involves someone's mental or behavioral health
- A time-sensitive dispute has arisen over treatment, medication, or placement
How We Help
Our first job is to figure out what can be done. Our second is to act decisively. What is possible depends on the facts, the law, who else is involved, and how much time we have. We will be honest about the limits: not every problem has a legal fix, and not every fix is fast. You will leave knowing exactly what your options are, and what happens next.
We assess quickly. We listen, review whatever information exists, and explain the legal issues, the practical limits, and the realistic options.
We focus on what matters most right now. That may mean contacting a facility or treatment team to raise discharge and placement concerns, preparing for a hearing on short notice, or communicating with law enforcement, county agencies, and other decision-makers.
We advocate for treatment, not just an outcome on paper. We counsel our clients fully, protect their rights, and pursue a plan that addresses the underlying illness. No outcome can be guaranteed, but you will always receive honest advice and committed advocacy.
We look past the emergency. When circumstances allow, we identify steps that support longer-term treatment and reduce the chance of the same crisis repeating.
Timing and Availability
Crisis legal service cases demand immediate attention and substantial attorney time, often on short notice. We therefore accept only a limited number of these urgent, time-sensitive cases at any one time. We accept representation only after a legal consultation in which we assess the circumstances, determine whether we can help, and confirm our availability.
The True Retainer. For any crisis legal service matter that we accept, we require a True Retainer. This is a fee that reserves the attorney's time and priority availability for a defined period. Because crises do not keep business hours, that frequently means evenings and weekends, and it usually means setting aside other work and turning away new matters. The True Retainer pays solely for that reserved availability. It is earned in full when the engagement begins, because that is the moment we commit the time to your matter. It does not pay for legal services, which are billed separately. The scope of work, the crisis period, the retainer amount and terms, and the fees for legal services are all set out in a written engagement agreement.
This page provides general information, not legal advice. Laws, court procedures, eligibility rules, and available services change, and legal options depend on current law and the circumstances of each case.
We're Here to Help
If you or someone you care about is in crisis and you're unsure where to turn, reach out to Blumen & Tauro, Treatment Law℠. We'll listen and tell you whether we can help.