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HOW DO I HAVE SOMEONE COMMITTED? The Jackson Parish Coroner’s Office does not issue commitment papers.  The J.P.C.O. issues an Order for Protective Custody (O.P.C.) based on the conditions set forth in the LA. Revised Statutes.  In order to have an O.P.C. issued a petitioner must come to the Coroner’s Office to fill out the proper paperwork (Request for an Order of Protective Custody) and speak with a deputy coroner.  Based on the information supplied the deputy coroner will determine whether or not the the persons actions rise to the level for the issuing an O.P.C..  The person requesting the OPC must be a credible witness and one sho has seen or heard, first hand, what the person has said or done within the previous 48 hours only.  The person must be a resident of Jackson Parish; they cannot be in a hospital or incarcerated and must be located within the parish of Jackson. WHO CAN ISSUE AN O.P.C.? Under Louisiana law, the Coroner or a District Judge may issue an Order for Protective Custody when a credible person meets the criteria for issuance. WHAT IS AN O.P.C.? An O.P.C. is a multi-tier document that orders law enforcement to take a person into police custody and transport that individual an emergency room for a mental status examination. WHAT IS THE COST OF AN O.P.C.? There are no costs associated with the issuance of an OPC. CAN AN O.P.C. BE ISSUED FOR SOMEONE NOT CURRENTLY LOCATED IN JACKSON PARISH? NO.  The O.P.C. is good for 72 hours and can only be used on a person in Jackson Parish. Can a second O.P.C. be issued if the patient evades the police for the first 72 hours? NO.  Not unless there is a separate set of facts that is done that makes the individual a danger to self or others, or gravely disabled. ONCE AT A TREATMENT CENTER WHAT HAPPENS THEN? Within 12 hours the patient is given a mental status exam to determine if the patient meets the criteria for a physician emergency certificate (P.E.C.). WHAT IS A P.E.C.? A P.E.C. is a physician emergency certificate issued by a physician, psychologist or mental health nurse practitioner  after a medical exam that determines a person is suffering from a mental illness or substance abuse disorder and is a danger to self, to others or is gravely disabled.

MENTAL  HEALTH  FAQS