Are there any alternatives to filing for a Mental Health Warrant?
Yes. If the person is WILLING to seek mental health services voluntarily, he/she may go to any mental health facility of his/her choosing (if insured), and admit him/herself. If there is no insurance, then the person can contact Texana Center to schedule an appointment.
Can’t I just commit someone for mental health treatment?
No. Under State Law, a person can only be committed if they have been evaluated by a licensed doctor and that doctor submits a report stating that the person is mentally ill and at risk for harm to self or others.
How and where do I file for a Mental Health Warrant in Fort Bend County?

Call the Justice of the Peace for the precinct where the proposed patient lives and let them know you will be coming in to complete an Application for a Mental Health Warrant. Some Justice of the Peace offices close at 4:00 PM; it is recommended to start the process as early in the day as possible.

  • JP 1, Place 1 – 22333 Grand Corner Drive, Katy: 281-342-7807 or 979-793-3403
  • JP 1, Place 2 – 8100 FM 359, South, Fulshear: 281-341-3742
  • JP 2, Place 1 – 303 Texas Parkway (FM 2234), Rm. 107, Missouri City: 281-403-8080
  • JP 2, Place 2 - 3114 Rosenberg St, Needville: 346-481-6990
  • JP 3 – 22333 151 Stadium Drive, Suite #102, Sugar Land: 281-238-1460
  • JP 4 – 1517 Eugene Heimann Circle, Suite 100, Richmond: 281-491-6016

If you have located a facility and are calling after hours, you may call the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 281-341-4665. Let the dispatcher know that you need to contact the Justice of Peace on call regarding a mental health commitment.

When completing the Application, make certain to put the name and telephone number for the facility admitting department, for confirmation by the Sheriff’s Office that the facility is expecting this proposed patient.

If the Mental Health Warrant is issued, the warrant will be sent to the Sheriff (or Texana) and arrangements will be made for the transport of the patient to the facility.

Is there anything I need to do before I apply for a Mental Health Warrant?

With Insurance

  1. Locate a facility that will accept the patient and patient’s insurance. The County cannot provide a referral to a specific facility, but some of the hospitals that have treated patients from Fort Bend County are listed in our Mental Health Commitment Procedures [PDF]
  2. If arrangements are made with a facility to accept the proposed patient, take down the name and telephone number for the facility admitting department. When completing the Application for Mental Health Warrant at the Justice of the Peace, this information will be necessary.

If the facility is in Harris County, the commitment will most likely take place in Harris County because it is difficult for the doctors in Harris County to travel to Fort Bend County for the required hearings. Therefore, you may be referred to the Harris County Attorney’s Office for further handling.

Without Insurance

  1. If there is no insurance, you may try to locate a facility with an indigent bed available. If no private facility will accept the proposed patient, contact Texana Center at 1-800-633-5686 (available 24 hours a day/seven days a week). Notify Texana that you are seeking a commitment to Austin State Hospital (ASH). Ask if there is space available for a proposed patient from Fort Bend County.
  2. If the only facility available to the proposed patient is Austin State Hospital, the commitment will take place in the City of Austin and Travis County courts will handle the proceedings.
Who can file an application for a Mental Health Warrant?

A person may file an application for a Mental Health Warrant if:

  1. He or she is over 18 years of age; and
  2. He or she has witnessed the proposed patient’s behavior.

It is a criminal offense to knowingly falsify any information in the Application for a Mental Health Warrant. Therefore, only first-hand information should be included on the application. Any information given from one person to another is not sufficient and will not be considered when the application is evaluated by a judge.

What are the requirements for a Mental Health Warrant?

For a Mental Health Warrant to be issued in Fort Bend County, the proposed patient must reside or currently be in Fort Bend County.

The applicant MUST be able to present current, specific information that shows the prospective patient is suffering from a mental illness and constitutes an IMMEDIATE danger to him/herself or to others.

IMPORTANT: PAST BEHAVIOR, EVEN FROM A WEEK PRIOR, MAY NOT SATISFY THE CRITERIA IF THE BEHAVIOR IS NOT CURRENTLY BEING SHOWN.

If the proposed patient is incarcerated for a violent offense, no commitment can take place until the proposed patient is released from jail.

What do I do if there is a mental health EMERGENCY?

Call 9-1-1 if the person is attempting suicide or is violent.

If the person is actively attempting to commit suicide or has become violent, immediately call 9-1-1 so that law enforcement can respond.

What is a Mental Health Warrant?
A Mental Health Warrant authorizes law enforcement to take a person into custody who shows symptoms of a mental illness and is likely to cause harm to himself or others. It is not a warrant for arrest. The warrant orders a person to undergo a mental health evaluation by a doctor to determine if hospitalization is necessary.
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Divisions

General Counsel:

Provides general legal services to the business operation of Fort Bend County and legal advice and assistance to all county officials and employees in the following areas: 

  • Attends the meetings of the Commissioners Court (both public session and executive session)
  • Provides legal opinions to the members of Commissioners Court and other county officials relating to the performance of their official duties and assists in drafting county policies and procedures. 
  • Drafts and reviews proposed contracts and advises the Commissioners Court, county departments, and elected officials with regard to contract interpretation and administration.
  • Provides legal services with respect to real property transactions by the County including sale, purchase, and leasing of real property and the acquisition of easements, right of ways, and road dedications
  • Supports County legislative initiatives, drafts proposed legislation and advises the Commissioners Court and County officials regarding other proposed and recently enacted legislation affecting the County. 

  • Supports county boards and committees

Litigation: 

Represent the County, the Commissioners Court and County officials and employees in all lawsuits, EEOC claims, legal claims and administrative actions involving the County. The duties include the following: 

  • Represent the County in civil lawsuits filed against the County and/or its officials in state and federal court
  • Represent departments and elected officials in proceedings before the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other state/federal agencies
  • Evaluate claims and lawsuits filed against the County by gathering documents and interviewing witnesses, determine liability and potential damages 

Regulatory: 

The Regulatory Division provides legal assistance and advice to all County officials and departments to ensure County compliance with all duties and obligations as required under local, state and federal laws.   The Division is also responsible for pursuing lawsuits on behalf of the County in the enforcement of County Orders and Regulations including:

  • Fort Bend County Floodplain Management Regulations
  • Fort Bend County Junkyard Regulations
  • Fort Bend County Junked Vehicle Abatement Procedures
  • Fort Bend County Outdoor Lighting Regulations
  • Enforcement of County, State and Federal Environmental Regulations
  • Human Trafficking Violations
  • Public Nuisance Abatement
  • Fort Bend County Alcohol Distance Regulations
  • Fort Bend County Game Room Regulations

Assistant County Attorneys also draft County Orders and Regulations for Commissioners Court approval and assist departments with policies and procedures for investigating and implementing those Regulations. 

Family Law

The Family Law Division is responsible for filing all civil litigation in child abuse and neglect cases referred by the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services in order to ensure the safety of the children in Fort Bend County. Assistant County Attorneys are responsible for filing suits affecting the parent child relationship in a timely manner and attending all statutorily required hearings. The Family Law Division also participates in various organizations and efforts related to the prevention of child abuse such as the Infant & Toddler Program.

 

   
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