{"id":3788,"date":"2026-10-05T03:51:54","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T03:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-drug-addiction-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-10-21T20:09:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T20:09:39","slug":"marchman-act-drug-addiction-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/marchman-act-drug-addiction-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Attorney Consultation | Robinson & Casey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/span>\"Judge
\n

Marchman Act Attorney<\/p>

Petition for Involuntary Treatment in Florida<\/h1>

Robinson & Casey guides families through Marchman Act proceedings to secure court-ordered addiction treatment for a loved one.<\/p>

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

By Richard J. Casey III, Esq. \u00b7 Published October 05, 2026<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Marchman Act Attorney Consultation: Florida’s Civil Commitment Law for Addiction<\/h2>\n

When a loved one refuses treatment for drug or alcohol addiction and their condition is worsening, you may have a legal option: the Marchman Act. This is Florida’s civil commitment law that allows family members and concerned parties to petition a court for involuntary examination and treatment when someone cannot or will not seek help on their own. Understanding how it works\u2014and when to file\u2014is the first step toward getting your loved one the care they need.<\/p>\n\n

\"Lawyer<\/figure>\n\n
\n

Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3>

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

What Is the Marchman Act?<\/h2>\n

The Marchman Act is Florida’s civil commitment law for substance use disorders<\/a>, codified in Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.675, which allows involuntary examination and treatment when there is good-faith reason to believe a person has a substance use disorder, has lost self-control over substance use, and either has impaired judgment or poses a risk of harm to themselves or others. The law applies statewide across Florida\u2014in Miami-Dade, Broward, and all South Florida counties\u2014and is designed to intervene before addiction causes irreversible damage or death.<\/p>\n

The Marchman Act is often confused with the Baker Act, but they serve different purposes. The Baker Act addresses mental health crises and allows involuntary psychiatric examination. The Marchman Act targets addiction specifically. Both allow involuntary examination and include court hearings and individual rights protections, but the focus and criteria differ. If your loved one is struggling with addiction\u2014not a mental health crisis\u2014the Marchman Act is the relevant law.<\/p>\n

Who Can File a Marchman Act Petition?<\/h2>\n

You don’t have to be an attorney or a government official to start the process. Florida law allows several categories of people<\/a> to file a Marchman Act petition:<\/p>\n