What is a ten (10) second Baker Act consult?

I speak to a lot of people who have been baker-acted. We are really good here at Baker Act Attorneys getting people out of Baker Act facilities if you call us soon enough.

One of the things that I notice when people are stuck in facilities is that they tell me that they have a very short consult with the psychiatrist, the professional who is making the decision that they cannot go home. We speak to people a lot of time and they say they only spend 10 seconds with the psychiatrist. It may not be 10 seconds, but most of the time, it is just a couple of minutes. Most of the time, it is over zoom or a sort of teleconference. So, they are telling me how could somebody spend a couple of minutes with me, 10 seconds with me, and then make a decision that I cannot go home? I agree with them. That short consult time with a psychiatrist is not to determine if you are okay, or to see that you are stable. It is a rubber stamp make sure that the file at the Baker Act is documented, so someone can say you do not meet the criteria and you are not going home. If your loved one is stuck in a facility and they are telling you they have had a 10-second consult, you should believe them because it is probably true. That is an indication that the psychiatrist is not going to sign off on your loved one; that they are not coming home anytime soon. The time to take action to get your loved one out of that facility is now. The judge should be made aware of what is going on inside the facility and that the facility is not conducting a proper assessment or examination. A 10-second and even five-minute consult with a psychiatrist is not enough time to make a determination if clinically, your loved one even meets the criteria.

With that said, if you want to talk to us about getting your loved one out of a Baker Act facility, reach out to us. My phone is on 24/7 and I am happy to help you. Take care and see you in the next video.