A statement made in jest between friends when one of them does something foolish, involuntary or judicial commitment is no joke to the families who have undergone the nightmare of watching a loved one, due to advanced dementia or other mental illness, turn violent and require forcible restraint.
All states have involuntary or judicial commitment statutes.
After all, the individual has done nothing wrong, is ill, and needs assistance and protection, often in spite of his own wishes. In most instances the police or emergency medical personnel are called first for help. These statutes usually require that involvement of the court to protect the disabled person be invoked as soon as possible once he has been taken into custody by law enforcement authorities. David Martin was one such individual. Under Maryland's involuntary commitment statute, in a hearing before an administrative law judge, David was found to present a danger to his life or safety or of others.