Mental Health Litigation Unit

The primary mandate of the Mental Health Litigation Unit is to provide trial and appellate representation to indigent persons against whom are filed petitions seeking commitment to public or private psychiatric facilities or judicial authorization to administer or terminate certain types of treatment (e.g., antipsychotic medication, aversive behavior modification, life-support mechanisms). Typically, representation is provided by private attorneys certified by the Mental Health Litigation Unit to accept such assignments. See Certification Requirements.

The Mental Health Litigation Unit also trains, and is available to assist, criminal defense attorneys in respect to mental health issues that arise in the criminal justice context (e.g., competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility).

Your comments and suggestions as to how we can improve the representation afforded our clients (or the Mental Health Litigation Unit "subsite") are always welcome. [To find your way around this subsite, use the links on the navigation bar at the top of each page.]