An emergency detention can last up to how many hours?

An emergency detention in Oklahoma law provides a framework for law enforcement to take an individual into custody for a limited time due to a mental health crisis, to ensure the person receives the care they need and to protect the safety of themselves and others. The law specifies that an emergency detention can last up to 120 hours, which is equivalent to five days.

This duration allows mental health professionals adequate time to evaluate the individual's situation, assess their mental health needs, and determine appropriate next steps. It is designed to balance the individual's rights with the need for immediate intervention in potentially life-threatening situations. The extended time frame ensures that law enforcement and health care providers can work together effectively in urgent circumstances. Ensuring that individuals are not detained longer than necessary is also a crucial part of this process, which is why the time limit is strictly defined in the law.