County Adjuster

The County Adjuster is responsible for carrying out the duties outlined in New Jersey statute 30:4-34, including:

  • The charge and supervision of the preparation of papers regarding the admission and/or commitment of clients to private, county, state and federal psychiatric hospitals.
  • Setting court hearings that protect client rights and privacy (Legal services are supplied free of charge to those who can not afford counsel for these hearings.)
  • Investigating the residency status and the ability to pay of those admitted to these hospitals. This information is given to the courts where responsibility is assessed and assigned by “Settlement Order” of the Court.
  • Completing the “Consent for Mental Health Record Search” in conjunction with state and local police, which is part of the gun permit and purchase process.

All records filed with this office are confidential and are not available to the public.

Patients’ Hearing Rights

30:4-27.14 Rights of persons subject to involuntary commitment at court hearing and review.

A person subject to involuntary commitment has the following rights at a court hearing and any subsequent review court hearing.

  1. The right to be represented by counsel or, if indigent, by appointed counsel;
  2. The right to be present at the court hearing unless the court determines that because of the person’s conduct at the court hearing the proceedings cannot reasonably continue while the person is present;
  3. The right to present evidence;
  4. The right to cross examine witnesses; and
  5. The right to a hearing in camera.

l.1987,c.116 & 14, eff. Nov. 7 1988

Screening Centers

If you, a friend, or a loved one is in need of psychiatric guidance or help, please call one of the screening center hotlines listed below.

Primary Screening Center for Morris County

St. Clare’s Hospital, Inc.
25 Pocono Road
Denville, NJ 07834
HOTLINE: 973-625-6160

Affiliated Emergency Services

Morristown Memorial Hospital CIS
100 Madison Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960
HOTLINE: 973-540-0100

Chilton Memorial Hospital CIS
97 West Parkway
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
HOTLINE: (973) 831-5078

 

How to Contact Us

Due to confidentiality and HIPAA federal and state regulations, any requests that require patient information must be sent to the Adjuster’s Office in writing, via regular mail:

PO Box 900
Morristown, NJ 07963-0900

The Adjuster’s Office does not accept email requests with a patient’s name or other personal information. No responses by the County potentially revealing Protected Health Information can be made via email.

The Morris County Adjuster is proud to be a member of the Morris County Stigma-Free Communities Initiative, which aims to eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness and substance use disorders.