Mental Health Cases - Civil

The Public Defender represents individuals who are subject to LPS and Probate conservatorships.

A probate conservatorship is a court proceeding to appoint a manager for the finances and/or personal care of someone who is unable to care for themselves due to dementia/Alzheimer’s, developmental disability, or traumatic brain injury.  A probate conservator can be a family member or the Public Guardian.

An LPS conservatorship is a court proceeding to appoint the Public Guardian or family member as the manager of the personal care of individuals who are gravely disabled due to mental illness, mental disorder or chronic alcoholism. A conservator has the power to place an individual in a locked psychiatric hospital or other facility if that is the least restrictive placement which will address the person's needs.

If you are held in a psychiatric facility, you may call our office to speak with the Mental Health paralegal about challenging the commitment.   If you wish to reach this paralegal, please call the main office number at (408) 299-7700 or find the Mental Health paralegal on the staff directory.

Visit the Santa Clara County Superior Court's self-help website to learn more about Probate and LPS conservatorships.