The District of Columbia Petition For The Civil Commitment is a legal procedure whereby a person who is considered to be a danger to themselves or to others can be civilly committed for a period of time. This process is used to protect the public and the individual from potential harm. It is an involuntary commitment, meaning that the individual must be taken into custody and cannot leave until a court hearing is held and the individual is released or committed. There are three types of District of Columbia Petition For The Civil Commitment. These include: Emergency Commitment, Temporary Commitment, and Extended Commitment. An Emergency Commitment is initiated when someone is an immediate danger to themselves or to others. A Temporary Commitment is initiated when there is potential danger in the near future, and an Extended Commitment is initiated when there is a long-term risk of harm. In all cases, the individual must be evaluated by a mental health professional, and a court hearing must be held before the commitment can be approved.