Precommitment Services
Psychiatric Crisis Center
1118 Oak St SE
Salem, OR 97301
Ph : (503) 585-4949
Fax: (503) 585-4965
The staff of Precommitment Services investigate Notification of Mental Illness (Civil Commitment) petitions and make reports and recommendations to the Circuit Court. The investigator is charged with determining if the subject of the investigation is
1) mentally ill,
2) a danger to themselves or others,
3) unable to care for themselves, or
3) chronically mentally ill, as defined by ORS 426.495.
The investigator will also recommend that the court either:
a) dismiss the case,
b) allow the subject of the petition to seek voluntary treatment,
c) allow the subject of the petition to be conditionally released to the care of a legal guardian, relative or friend,
d) hold a civil commitment hearing to determine if the subject should be committed to inpatient or outpatient services as defined in ORS 426, Title 35, or
e) Issue a Warrant of Detention to hold the person at a particular facility.
Petitions may be filed by any two adults (age 18 or over) concerning any resident of Marion County. All petitions must be notarized (there is a notary available at our offices, you must have picture ID to obtain notary services) Circuit Court commitment hearings are held Mondays and Thursdays at the Salem Hospital Psychiatric Unit.
Types of Involuntary Holds
Police Officer Custody | a police officer | Until evaluated for a longer hold |
Warrant of Detention | a judge | Until the next regularly scheduled hearing |
Hospital Hold | a QMHP and MD w/hospital privileges | 5 judicial days |
Notice of Mental Illness (Civil Petition) | by any 2 adults & a notary | Until investigation completed (within 15 days) |
Civil Commitment | by Circuit Court judge | Up to 180 days |