Casey's Law | Ross County Court Of Common Pleas - Probate / Juvenile Divisions
Provides involuntary psychiatric evaluations and possible commitment of persons who are mentally ill and pose a danger to themselves and/or others. This is referred to as having someone "probated" and should be used as a last resort. Other avenues for assistance such as the police or a mental health agency should be utilized first. Persons who want to have someone probated will file with the court and receive an Order of Detention. Once this order is received, the order is taken to the police department the same day. At that point, the order must be carried through. The police will then pick up the probated individual, take them to the hospital, and within 24 hours a psychiatric evaluation will be done. A court date for a hearing is then set and will be held within five court days, or ten calendar days after the person is taken to the hospital. At the hearing, it will be decided if the person should be committed or released.
Data provided by
211 Cleveland
Physical Address
2 N Paint St., Ste. A Ross County Courthouse, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Hours
M-F: 8:00am-4:30pm. Phones are answered until 4:00pm. Closed on legal holidays.
Voice
Voice
Fax
(740) 774-3711
Application process
Filing to have someone probated should be done only as a last resort. Other avenues for assistance should be utilized first, such as the police, Ross County Job and Family Services' Adult Protective Services, or other mental health service. Before going in to file, phone to explain situation and receive information about how to proceed. To file: must be someone who has direct knowledge of the situation and must meet with a social worker for an intake interview. During the interview, which lasts about one hour, will have to give personal information about the person (such as weight, height, eye and hair color, Social Security number, insurance, date of birth, income) and present the problem. If, after the interview, they still want to have the person probated, then they will sign an affidavit that the information they gave is true. An Order of Detention will be given and then taken to the police department. The police will pick up the probated person and take the individual to a hospital. After the probated person arrives at the hospital, a court date for a hearing will be set.
Fee
Fixed fee to file, in some cases may not be a charge.
Eligibility
Person to be probated: Adults 18 and older in Ross County who are mentally ill, are receiving or have received psychiatric treatment, and are a danger to themselves and/or others, such as suicidal or threatening to injure others. No drug abuse cases unless there is a dual diagnosis. To file: adults 18 and older. Must know the person to be probated very well, such as a relative or close friend, and must have direct knowledge of the situation.
Service area
Ross County, Ohio
Agency info
Ross County Court Of Common Pleas - Probate / Juvenile Divisions
Probate: Court with jurisdiction over matters such as probate of wills, estates, the issuance of marriage licenses, adoption proceedings, determination of sanity or mental competence, name changes and adult and juvenile guardianship. Juvenile: Hears cases involving the delinquency of persons under eighteen years of age, and cases dealing with unruly, abused, neglected, and dependent children. Also hears all traffic offenses committed by persons under eighteen years of age, and has jurisdiction in adult cases involving paternity, child abuse, nonsupport, and failure to send children to school.