Legit question for USA ppl who know the law.....

I have a serious question for people in the US that know the law....

IF you were locked up in your local nuthouse and you "jumped the fence" and took off.... could you be arrested for anything??? I mean is it a CRIME to "escape" from a mental health hospital??? Could they get you for like disorderly conduct or anything like that?

No, it is not a crime to escape from a mental institution, at least not in Wisconsin (and I doubt anywhere in the U.S.).

A friend told me once it depends on the type of hold (court ordered instead of jail time or not). If it is court ordered from the commission of a crime it is considered escape from detention which could lead to more troubles.

I just walked out one time, just strolled past the front desk like I was a visitor and and hopped in the car and hid out at a friend's house till the coast was clear. Being locked up was one of the most traumatic things

Nope can't be arrested! Though the hospital staff can be in trouble.

If you have health insurance, they may not pay for the time you were in the hospital.

I actually went AWOL once from the hospital when I was in Indiana. I researched the laws and at that time, this is what I understood:

If you have voluntarily committed yourself and you leave, they cannot come get you UNLESS someone has the court sign commitment papers on you. Then the police can come and get you. If you are involuntarily committed then yes, they can call the police and try to get you back.

If you're voluntary, you just have to make it off the grounds and they can't grab you off the premises.