San Francisco Shifts Mental Health Conservatorship From District Attorney To City Attorney

On May 1, 2018, the San Francisco City and County Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance to designate the City Attorney, rather than the county District Attorney, to institute civil judicial proceedings to appoint conservators for people with mental health disorders. The ordinance empowers the city attorney to compel participation in assisted outpatient treatment (AOT). The District Attorney will retain responsibility for initiating mental health conservatorships for persons who are found mentally incompetent to stand trial under Section 1370 of the Penal Code, and where the complaint against the individual charges a felony involving death, great bodily harm, or serious . . .