Legal Resources

People with mental illness deserve help, not handcuffs. Yet people with mental illness are overrepresented in our nation's jails and prisons. We need to reduce criminal justice system involvement and increase investments in mental health care. Download our new infographic with new statistics and facts here.

Plan of Maryland-DC., Inc.  

PLAN can provide clinical case management, budgeting and escrow account management services to help clients negotiate the public benefits system and to help them manage day-to-day affairs.

Emergency Petition Process

This brochure describes steps to assist a person who is in a psychiatric crisis and needs help. A psychiatric crisis includes, but is not limited to: suicidal or homicidal thinking and/or behavior, acute psychotic symptoms, sudden change in mental status, and violence. The steps progress from help for a person who is cooperative, to getting an emergency evaluation, to involuntary admission to a hospital.

Use this form to file for Petition for Emergency Evaluation

Pro Bono Resource Center

A guide to pro bono legal services in Maryland

Beyond Punishment: Helping Individuals with Mental Illness in Maryland’s Criminal Justice Center

A guide to the criminal justice system in Maryland

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender

The Office of the Public Defender allows you to apply for a lawyer to assist with information and services for involuntary committment to a mental hospital. You can apply and learn more here.

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

The Bazelon Center accomplishes its goals through a unique combination of litigation, public policy advocacy, coalition building and leadership, public education, media outreach and technical assistance—a comprehensive approach that ensures we achieve the greatest impact.