The Probate Court oversees the involuntary civil commitment process of individuals who are alleged to be mentally ill or mentally retarded.  The Court conducts hearings to determine whether the individual is subject to hospitalization and to determine the length and place of treatment.  All individuals involved have legal representation throughout the process.  More then six hundred (600) commitment hearings are conducted annually by this Probate Court.  These proceedings and records are confidential by law.

The Psychiatric Department is responsible for accepting affidavits and other applications and motions to initiate the involuntary civil commitment procedure of this Court pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 5122. The Court through this Department appoints attorneys, medical doctors, and reporters, and a strict hearing schedule is maintained. Most interaction between this Court and the County and State Mental Health systems are processed through this Department. All filings are indexed, docketed, and scanned while maintaining statutory confidentiality. This Department manages over four hundred fifty (450) new cases filed every year, in addition to monitoring continued commitments hearings.  Affidavits must be signed by the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) of the treating facility.  The facts on the affidavit must be sufficient to indicate probable cause.

The Psychiatric Department also processes filings under Ohio Revised Code § 5123. This involves the filing of affidavits, motions, and statements of comprehensive evaluation. The Court through this Department appoints attorneys, medical doctors / clinical psychologists, other experts, and reporters. These files are also confidential by statute.

For more information check out the following sites for the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH), Franklin County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) and the Netcare Corporation.

Legal practice in the Probate Court is restricted by law to attorneys who are licensed by the Supreme Court of Ohio. Due to the complexity of the law and desire to avoid costly errors, most individuals who have filings before the Court are represented by an attorney. Court employees are prohibited by statute from practicing law and cannot give legal advice.