Mental health crises sometimes require immediate intervention to ensure the safety of the individual and the community. The “10-13 hospital code” refers to a specific mechanism, primarily associated with the state of Georgia, designed to facilitate a mental health hold. This code is not a universal police radio code but rather a reference to a legal form, Form 1013, which authorizes the temporary detention and transport of a person for an emergency psychiatric assessment.
The Meaning and Criteria of the 10-13 Code
The 10-13 code represents the execution of an official legal form that authorizes the temporary, involuntary admission of an individual to a designated emergency receiving facility. This action is grounded in state law, which permits the state to intervene when a person’s mental state poses a serious risk. The legal standard for initiating this hold requires a finding that the person is a mentally ill person who needs involuntary treatment.
The criteria for this designation are specific, focusing on immediate danger. The individual must present a substantial risk of imminent harm to themselves, demonstrated by recent overt acts or expressed threats of violence. They may also be deemed a risk to others if their behavior suggests a probability of physical injury to another person. A hold can also be initiated if the person is severely unable to care for their own physical health and safety, creating an imminently life-endangering crisis.
The authority to issue this certificate is granted to specific professionals who have personally examined the person within the preceding 48 hours:
- A licensed physician
- A psychologist
- A clinical social worker
- A licensed professional counselor
- A clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health
A peace officer may take a person into custody and transport them based on an unexpired certificate or a court order. The officer has 72 hours after receiving the certificate to deliver the person to the nearest available emergency receiving facility.
Hospitalization Procedures Under Involuntary Hold
Once the Form 1013 is executed, the procedural steps focus on the safe and rapid transfer of the individual to a specialized facility. The person is transported to an emergency receiving facility, typically a hospital with a psychiatric unit, by law enforcement or an ambulance service. This transfer is involuntary, meaning the person must go even if they object to the detention.
Upon arrival at the facility, the patient is immediately subject to an initial clinical assessment to confirm the need for the involuntary hold. State law mandates that a physician must examine the patient as soon as possible, and in any event, within 48 hours of their admission to the emergency receiving facility. This initial period is designed for crisis stabilization and thorough evaluation of the person’s mental status.
The duration of the initial involuntary hold is strictly limited by statute to allow for this necessary evaluation. A patient must be discharged within 48 hours of admission unless an examining physician or psychologist executes a second certificate. If this second certificate confirms the person appears mentally ill and requires involuntary treatment, the patient may be detained for continued evaluation and treatment for a period not to exceed five days, excluding weekends and legal holidays.
Understanding Legal Protections and Discharge
Individuals placed under a 10-13 hold do not lose all their civil rights, and state law provides several safeguards. Upon arrival at the facility, the patient must be given written notice of their rights. These rights include the right to petition for a writ of habeas corpus to challenge the legality of their detention. They also have the right to legal counsel, and if they cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent them.
The initial involuntary hold period has three potential outcomes once the evaluation is complete. The patient may be discharged if the medical team determines they no longer meet the criteria for involuntary commitment. Alternatively, the patient may agree to stay for further treatment and convert their status to a voluntary admission. This transfer to voluntary status is often formalized using a different consent form.
The third outcome occurs if the treating physician determines the patient still requires inpatient treatment but refuses to consent to voluntary admission. In this situation, the facility must seek an extension by filing a petition for a longer-term commitment, often referred to as a Form 1014/1021 process. This conversion requires a formal court hearing. A judge reviews the medical evidence to determine if the patient should be ordered to remain hospitalized for a longer period, which can be up to six months.