{"id":15572,"date":"2026-10-31T04:55:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T04:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-repeated-baker-act-addiction\/"},"modified":"2026-11-09T08:03:57","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T08:03:57","slug":"marchman-act-repeated-baker-act-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/involuntary-commitment-addiction\/marchman-act-repeated-baker-act-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Attorney: Repeated Baker Act Holds in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/span>\"A
\n

Marchman Act Attorney | South Florida and Statewide<\/p>

Facing Repeated Baker Act Holds? Get Clear Guidance From a Marchman Act Attorney<\/h1>

Robinson Casey focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters for families across South Florida and statewide. Call (561) 849-4700 to talk through your situation.<\/p>

Schedule a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div>
Schedule a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

By Richard J. Casey III, Esq. \u00b7 Published October 31, 2026<\/p>\n\n

\n\n\n

If an adult with addiction keeps getting Baker Acted in Florida, the next legal step may be a Marchman Act petition. The Baker Act handles mental health emergencies. The Marchman Act handles substance use impairment and can lead to a court order for assessment and treatment. This page explains how that works, what the petition must show, and how families can prepare. Robinson Casey limits its practice to Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters, serving families across South Florida and statewide.<\/p>\n

What repeated Baker Act holds mean when addiction is the cause<\/h2>\n

Repeated Baker Act holds often mean a crisis gets handled while the cause stays in place. The pattern usually looks the same. A crisis leads to an emergency hold. The person is released. Substance use continues, and another crisis follows.<\/p>\n

The Baker Act is built around mental illness. It allows an examination when there is reason to believe a person has a mental illness and, because of it, the person refuses voluntary examination after a conscientious explanation and disclosure of the examination’s purpose, or cannot decide whether one is needed, and, for example, without care or treatment the person is likely to suffer from neglect or refuse self-care, that neglect or refusal poses a real and present threat of substantial harm, and it is not apparent family, friends or other services could avoid that harm (Baker Act criteria<\/a>). When the main problem is substance abuse impairment, a different law may fit better.<\/p>\n

This page is for the parent, sibling or adult child watching this cycle repeat. Many families describe the same fears: irreversible harm to their loved one, financial exploitation, dangerous decisions, and another psychiatric crisis. Those fears are real, and they are why the next step matters.<\/p>\n\n

\n

If your loved one keeps ending up in crisis after each hold, you don't have to work out the Marchman Act on your own, and Robinson Casey can talk with you about it. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\"Wooden<\/figure>\n

Baker Act vs. Marchman Act: which law fits repeat holds<\/h2>\n

The Baker Act covers mental illness emergencies. The Marchman Act covers substance abuse impairment, including a substance use disorder that occurs with a mental health disorder.<\/p>\n