Terms Used In California Codes > Welfare and Institutions Code > Division 5 > Part 1 > Chapter 6.2 > Article 3 - County Advocates

• Advocacy: means those activities undertaken on behalf of persons who are receiving or have received mental health services to protect their rights or to secure or upgrade treatment or other services to which they are entitled. See California Welfare and Institutions Code 5500
• City: includes "city and county" and "incorporated town. See California Streets and Highways Code 15
• client: means a person who is receiving or has received services from a mental health facility, service, or program and who has personally or through a guardian ad litem, entered into an agreement with a county patients' rights advocate for the provision of advocacy services. See California Welfare and Institutions Code 5500
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• County: includes "city and county. See California Welfare and Institutions Code 14
• Department: means the Department of Transportation of this state. See California Streets and Highways Code 20
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
• Person: means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, organization, limited liability company, or business trust. See California Streets and Highways Code 19
• Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
• Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.