The Marchman Act

If your loved one requires involuntary substance abuse assessment or treatment, please call us at (407) 706-3967.**

The Marchman Act is Florida’s term for involuntary substance abuse assessment/stabilization or treatment under Chapter 397, Florida Statutes. Involuntary treatment may be inpatient or outpatient and can be for up to 90 days or even longer if the petitioner seeks additional treatment that is granted after a further hearing.

There is a lot of incorrect information online about the requirements of the Marchman Act. For example, many websites claim that a petition requires three witnesses or family members who have seen the alleged substance abuse; this is FALSE. Only one petitioner with direct personal knowledge is required, and that person does not have to be a family member or in any way related to the individual suffering with substance use disorder.)

The Marchman Act operates very differently depending on the county in which you are seeking treatment (normally the county where the individual is presently located), but it is a delicate process that requires expertise regardless of where you may be seeking help.

**Note that a person does NOT have to be a Florida resident in order to be subject to a Marchman Act petition. Often, someone who comes to Florida on a voluntary basis might end up subject to a Marchman Act petition if voluntary treatment does not work or the patient requires additional care or services.