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HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 6Pt. 2Ch. 1§ 6252 Judicial Commitment Orders

§ 6252 Judicial Commitment Orders

Welfare and Institutions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
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§ 6252 Judicial Commitment Orders

Key Takeaways

  • •A judge can order someone to be examined or detained if they might be a danger to themselves or others.
  • •The order must include details like the person's name, where they are, and why they need to be examined.
  • •The person must be treated humanely and given any necessary medical care while detained.
  • •The order can be served at any time, day or night.

Example

If someone is acting in a way that makes others think they might hurt themselves or someone else, a judge can order them to be taken to a hospital for an examination.

The judge's order will say why the person needs to be examined and where they should be taken. The person will be treated kindly and given any medical help they need.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 6252 Judicial Commitment Orders

Wherever provision is made in this code for a judge of a superior court to issue and deliver an order for examination or detention directing that a person be apprehended and taken before a judge of a superior court for a hearing and examination on an allegation of being a person subject to judicial commitment, the order for examination or detention shall be in substantially the following form: The People For the Best Interest and Protection of ⎫ ⎪ ⎪ Order for Exammination or Dentention as a ⎪ and Concerning and ⎬ ⎪ ⎪ _____ Respondents ⎪ ⎭ The People of the State of California _____ (peace officer) _____ The petition for ________ having been presented this day to me, a Judge of the Superior Court in and for the County of ________, State of California, from which it appears that there is now in this county, at ________, a person by the name of ________, who is a ________. And it satisfactorily appears to me that said person is sufficiently ________ that examination should be made and hearing held, if demanded, to determine the supervision, treatment, care or restraint, if any, necessary for his best interest and protection, and the protection of the people. I do hereby appoint ________ and ________ as medical examiners to make a personal examination of ________, the person alleged to be ________, and to report thereon to the court, pursuant to Section ________ of the Welfare and Institutions Code. * Now, therefore, you are commanded to notify said ________, to submit to an examination ________ on or before the ________ day of ________, that thereafter he may be taken before a judge of the superior court in this county for examination and hearing to determine the measures to be taken for the best interest and protection of said ________, as a ________, as provided by law. * And it affirmatively appearing to me that said person is sufficiently ________ that he is likely to injure himself or others if not immediately hospitalized or detained, you are therefore commanded to forthwith detain said ________, or cause him to be detained for examination and hearing, pending the further order of the judge, at ________, and there becared for in a humane manner as a ________ and provided with any medical treatment deemed necessary to his physical well-being. * And it satisfactorily appearing to me that said person has failed or has refused to appear for examination when notified by order of this court, you are therefore commanded to forthwith detain said ________ or cause him to be detained for examination and hearing, pending the further order of the judge, at ________, and there be cared for in a humane manner as a ________. I hereby direct that a copy of this order, together with a copy of the said petition be delivered to said person and his representative, if any, at the time of his notification; and I further direct that this order may be served at any hour of the night. Witness my hand, this ________ day of ________, 19__. _____ _____ Judge of the Superior Court * Strike out when not applicable. Return of Order I hereby certify that I received the above order for examination or detention, and on the ________ day of ________, 19__, served it by notifying and delivering to said ________ personally, and to his representatives, if any, to wit, ________, a copy of the order and of the petition, *or by apprehending said person and causing h__ to be detained for examination and hearing and for humane care as an alleged ________ at ________; until further ordered and directed by the judge. * I hereby certify that prior to the service of the above order for detention and the apprehension of ________ I served notice on the person and his representative, if any, as required under Article 2 (commencing with Section 5200) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Dated __________, 19__. _____ _____ Signature of officer * Strike out when not applicable. (Amended by Stats. 1968, Ch. 1374.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

examinationtreatmentdetentionprotectionmedicalhealthrespondentport

Related Statutes

  • § 6251 Judicial Commitment Petition Form
  • § 6253 Medical Examiner Certification Form
  • § 17700 Foster Care Placement Standards
  • § 4021 Mental Health Custody Oversight
  • § 6254 Commitment Order Form

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 6252.
View Official Source