Alternative court aims to keep the mentally ill from repeat criminal actsBy Judith MillerMental Health Law, December 2017With more than a decade of statistics available since the inception of the Treatmetn Alternative Court in the 16th Judicial Circuit, Kane County has contracted with Aurora University to conduct a full analysis of the impact of TAC. Pursuant to the Mental Health Treatment Act, the county’s study will include an analysis of recidivism rates.
The Awakenings Project facilitates empowerment, advances recoveryBy Irene Lamb O’Neill & Robert King LundinMental Health Law, December 2017People familiar with psychiatric illnesses understand the painful loss of purpose and self-esteem that often accompanies these disorders. The arts can heal some of these wounds, providing individuals who struggle with these disabling illnesses hope, purpose and a sense of identity.
The case for agreed outpatient in IllinoisBy Matthew R. DavisonMental Health Law, September 2017The number of Illinois agreed outpatient orders are few and far between, but this is changing.
McWilliams v. Dunn: An unseemly maneuver or a necessary compromise?By Matthew R. DavisonMental Health Law, September 2017Of all the cases from the Court’s recent October term, McWilliams carried significant implications for the capital bar, as well as for those practitioners representing clients with mental illness.
Appellate updateBy Barbara GoebenMental Health Law, June 2017Recent cases of interest to mental health practitioners.
A final court’s not-so-final wordsBy Matthew R. DavisonMental Health Law, June 2017Practitioners must remember to consider other resources and authority outside of applicable case law or risk overlooking critical developments stemming from both decisions.
Can a defendant be compelled to submit to a Rule 215 physical or mental examination?By Albert E. DurkinMental Health Law, February 2017Are there circumstances where a plaintiff can request that the Court compel the defendant to submit to a physical or mental examination by a physician designated by the plaintiff? The case of Jane Doe v. Norman Weinzweig answers that question.
A resolution for 2017: Giving serious consideration to outpatient treatmentBy Matthew R. DavisonMental Health Law, February 2017This article highlights the new Cook County Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program and is meant to spur further contemplation and dialogue among those providers not participating in the program about how outpatient treatment demands serious consideration now, more than ever.
Can a defendant be compelled to submit to a Rule 215 physical or mental examination?By Albert E. DurkinTort Law, December 2016Are there circumstances where a plaintiff can request that the Court compel the defendant to submit to a physical or mental examination by a physician designated by the plaintiff? The case of Jane Doe v. Norman Weinzweig answers that question.
Ex-small biz lobbyist tapped for mental health advocate postMental Health Law, December 2016A veteran small business lobbyist has been hired to help handle state mental health government affairs for a top Illinois behavioral health advocacy group and to push to reverse state funding cuts opposed by Illinois voters.
New legal rules regarding medical cannabisBy Meryl Camin SosaMental Health Law, December 2016A discussion of the new rules as well as the existing legal requirements regarding medical cannabis.
Premiere mental health treatment for emerging adultsBy Susan D. O’NealMental Health Law, December 2016Yellowbrick uses cutting-edge science, such as brain imaging, EEGs, and pharmaco-genomic testing to find the best medicine to treat the condition and to measure progress.
Unmasking client pseudo-mental capacityBy Rick L. LawMental Health Law, October 2016It is the lawyer’s duty to determine whether or not a client or prospective client has sufficient capacity to engage in contracts; make donations or gifts; or create testamentary documents.
Unmasking client pseudo-mental capacityBy Rick L. LawTrusts and Estates, August 2016It is the lawyer’s duty to determine whether or not a client or prospective client has sufficient capacity to engage in contracts; make donations or gifts; or create testamentary documents.
Alcohol and mental health problems demand actionBy Patrick KrillBench and Bar, May 2016A recently published study confirms a substantial level of behavioral health problems among attorneys and, in short, reveals cause for great concern.
Appellate updateBy Andreas LiewaldMental Health Law, May 2016Illinois Supreme Court
In re Linda B., 2015 IL App (1st) 132134 (February 18, 2015)
Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission has filed a PLA and has filed a Motion for Extension. Respondent was held on medical floor for 17 days before a petition for involuntary admission was filed.
Your client has just been found not guilty by reason of insanity—Your work is not overBy Mark J. HeyrmanMental Health Law, May 2016Following this successful defense, counsel must ensure that: (1) the defendant is transferred promptly to a Department of Human Services facility for an evaluation; (2) the defendant receives a commitment hearing; and (3) if the defendant is committed, he is given a commitment which is no longer than authorized under 730 ILCS 5/5-2-4(b).
New laws in 2016By Joseph T. MonahanMental Health Law, April 2016The new year brought a variety of new laws and amendments to existing laws taking effect in Illinois.