LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 5Pt. 1Ch. 2Art. 2§ 5204 Mental Health Evaluation Petition

§ 5204 Mental Health Evaluation Petition

Welfare and Institutions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 5204 Mental Health Evaluation Petition

Key Takeaways

  • •If you think someone is very sick in the head and might hurt themselves or others, you can ask a court to check on them.
  • •You must tell the court your name and why you care about this person.
  • •You need to give the court facts about why you think this person is dangerous or can't take care of themselves.
  • •You must also tell the court about anyone who is supposed to take care of this person, like family.

Example

Your friend is acting really strange, saying they want to hurt themselves, and not eating or sleeping for days.

You can go to court and ask them to check on your friend. You have to tell the court your friend's name, why you're worried, and who is supposed to take care of them, like their parents or spouse.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5204 Mental Health Evaluation Petition

The petition for a court-ordered evaluation shall contain the following: (a) The name and address of the petitioner and his interest in the case. (b) The name of the person alleged, as a result of mental disorder, to be a danger to others, or to himself, or to be gravely disabled, and, if known to the petitioner, the address, age, sex, marital status, and occupation of the person. (c) The facts upon which the allegations of the petition are based. (d) The name of, as a respondent thereto, every person known or believed by the petitioner to be legally responsible for the care, support, and maintenance of the person alleged, as a result of mental disorder, to be a danger to others, or to himself, or to be gravely disabled, and the address of each such person, if known to the petitioner. (e) Such other information as the court may require. (Added by Stats. 1967, Ch. 1667.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

gravely disabledpetitiondangerhealthrespondentportthe personevaluation

Related Statutes

  • § 5202 County Petition Screening Process
  • § 5201 Mental Health Evaluation Petition
  • § 5203 False Mental Health Petitions
  • § 229.5 Juvenile Group Home Oversight
  • § 340 Minor Protective Custody Warrants

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 5204.
View Official Source