Taken In For An Evaluation
NRS 433A.160 and NRS 433A.150 — a mental health crisis hold on probable cause, and release within 72 hours unless a petition is filed
In Nevada, an officer with arrest powers, or a physician, physician assistant, psychologist, marriage and family therapist, clinical professional counselor, social worker or registered nurse, who has probable cause from personal observation or a court order to believe a person is in a mental health crisis, may place the person on a mental health crisis hold.
That means taking the person into custody without a warrant for assessment, evaluation, intervention and treatment at a public or private mental health facility or hospital, and giving the facility the prescribed form, which sets out the circumstances and the reasons. The person may be transported by police, a licensed transport service, or an ambulance if medically necessary.
72 hours, weekends and holidays included. A person on a hold is released within 72 hours after being placed on it, counting weekends and holidays, unless before the close of business on the day the 72 hours expire a written petition for involuntary court-ordered admission is filed, or the person becomes a voluntary patient. If the clerk's office is closed that day, the petition is due by the close of the next business day.
Before placing someone under 18 on a hold, the person placing it attempts, where practicable, to get a parent's or guardian's consent, and documents the attempt. A hold does not depend on a parent's consent.
The examination and certificate an emergency admission requires, notice to the person, the petition and the court hearing are in other sections and are not reproduced here. Whether a hold met the statute is a question for a court and a licensed Nevada attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- NRS 433A.160 — Procedure for placement on mental health crisis hold
- NRS 433A.150 — Detention for assessment, evaluation, intervention and treatment; limitation on time
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Nevada attorney.