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Forum Post: U.S. Marine Held In A Mental Hospital Against His Will Because of Facebook Posts

Posted 12 years ago on Aug. 23, 2012, 7:54 a.m. EST by john23 (-272)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

6 Comments

6 Comments


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[-] 2 points by MsStacy (1035) 12 years ago

This use of mental health laws can certainly be abused, what is the point of the post?

After watching the news article and seeing some of his Facebook posts, it's a close call as to whether or not he's dangerous or deranged. It seems right to at least hold him for the initial 72 hours Virginia allows and hold a mental health hearing. The professionals obviously think he's dangerous.

Each State has set its own standard for involuntary commitment. After the shootings in Colorado, that of Giffords, and those on Army bases, it's easy to see why officials jumped on this.

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[-] -1 points by john23 (-272) 12 years ago

Its about the legality of it....not the specifics. If they can just show up and take you off without due process that's a little scary. What if they didn't like what some of the OWS were posting on this site and showed up at your house and claimed you were mentally unstable....carted you off to a mental institution.

[-] 1 points by MsStacy (1035) 12 years ago

These laws have been on the books for decades. In some states it takes a psychologist or psychiatrist to make the initial diagnosis that allows you to be held for a short time, often 72 hours, for further evaluation. Often different doctors are consulted.

Like any law there is a potential for abuse, but currently the pressure from the public is pushing authorities to protect. Things like Facebook get the attention of someone and, after the shootings over the past year or two, it shouldn't be surprising that authorities are using the mental health laws in an attempt to prevent more bloodshed.

You're free to express yourself, but if those thoughts seem homicidal then you may be visited in the name of public safety. It's all subjective, are you serious about your threats, do you have the means to carry them out. I can understand your fear, but at this point you're going to have to show that the laws are being abused and there isn't much evidence for that.

[-] 1 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 12 years ago

Indefinite Detention in action folks..

[-] 0 points by ChristopherABrown (550) from Santa Barbara, CA 12 years ago

Similar to censoring info about legal action useful to constitutional defense. Such happens here with this concept.

http://algoxy.com/ows/soldiersinquiry.html