A New Location for Involuntary Treatment Court

The PAO's Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) Unit has moved to a new, state-of-the-art facility at Harborview Medical Center's new 9th and Jefferson Building.  Each year, the PAO's ITA unit handles approximately 3,600 petitions for civil commitment.  Under Washington State Law, individuals may be civilly committed for 14, 90, or 180 days if they are deemed to present a substantial risk of harm to themselves or others or are gravely disabled due to a mental disease.  When someone suffers from mental illness and is in crisis, the PAO plays an important role in addressing the dual need for treatment and public safety.  The PAO's ITA unit is staffed with three DPAs and one paralegal and is led by Senior DPA Ethan Rogers.

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