LAW 737 - Mental Health Law

This course will focus on the impact of the legal system on persons with mental health disabilities. Civil proceedings, such as guardianships, commitments and treatment rights will be covered. Civil law areas covered will include mental illness, substance abuse, confidentiality, consent, substitute decision making and the rights of parents and of children in juvenile proceedings, custody determinations and divorces. While the primary focus will be civil law, criminal law topics will include capacity, right to refuse treatment, and insanity as a defense. The role of mental health professionals and mental health courts will be a prominent issue in the course.