In Fresno County, who is the petitioner in all LPS Conservatorship cases?

In Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Conservatorship cases in Fresno County, the Public Guardian serves as the petitioner. This role is essential because the Public Guardian is responsible for representing individuals who are unable to care for themselves due to mental health issues. The Public Guardian's involvement ensures that the rights and needs of the conservatee are prioritized within the legal framework established for such conservatorships.

Other potential petitioners, such as private attorneys, County Counsel, or family members, do not typically initiate these proceedings in Fresno County. Instead, the Public Guardian acts as a neutral party and is specifically trained to handle the complexities associated with mental health conservatorships. This establishes a formal process where the Public Guardian evaluates the necessity of the conservatorship and advocates for the prospective conservatee, providing a safeguard for those individuals who lack the capacity to make informed decisions regarding their treatment and care.