Document: 383 U.S. 107 86 S.Ct. 760 15 L.Ed.2d 620 Johnnie K. BAXSTROM, Petitioner,v.R. E. HEROLD, Director, Dannemora State Hospital. No. 219. Argued Dec. 9, 1965. Decided Feb. 23, 1966. Leon B. Polsky, New York City, for petitioner. Anthony J. Lokot, Albany, respondent. Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 We granted certiorari in this case to consider constitutional validity statutory procedure under which petitioner was committed a mental institution at expiration his criminal sentence state prison. 2 Petitioner, Baxstrom, convicted second degree assault April 1959 and sentenced term two one-half three years On June 1, 1961, he certified as insane by prison physician. He then transferred from Hospital, an jurisdiction control Department Correction used purpose confining caring male prisoners declared mentally ill while serving sentence. In November director filed petition Surrogate's Court Clinton County stating that Baxstrom's penal about terminate requesting be civilly pursuant § 384 Law, McKinney's Consol.Laws, c. 43. 3 December 6, proceeding held chambers. Medical certificates were submitted stated that, its examining physicians, Baxstrom still need hospital institutional care. Respondent, assistant Dannemora, testified ill. appearing alone, accorded brief opportunity ask questions.1 Respondent Surrogate both they had no objection being civil Mental Hygiene. But pointed out determine question—that decision entirely up The signed certificate indicated satisfied 'may require care treatment' Hygiene already determined ex parte not suitable hospital. Thus, on 18, date upon expired, custody over him shifted Hygiene, but retained has remained there date. 4 Thereafter, sought writ habeas corpus court. An examination independent psychiatrist ordered hearing opinion, dismissed. 1963, applied again corpus, alleging rights been violated sane, or if insane, should Due indigence incarceration could produce psychiatric testimony disprove adduced prior hearing. therefore alternative request transfer denied beyond power court despite statement State's attorney wished would appeal Appellate Division, Third Department, dismissal affirmed without opinion. 21 A.D.2d 754, 251 N.Y.S.2d 938. A motion leave Appeals denied. 14 N.Y.2d 490, 253 1028, 202 N.E.2d 159. certiorari. 381 949, 85 1810, 723. 5 hold equal protection laws person may jury review available all other persons York. Petitioner further commitment maintained judicial determination is dangerously such afforded so except those, like nearing 6 Section Law prescribes confined Dannemora.2 Similar procedures are prescribed allegedly persons. N.Y.Mental 27, §§ 70, 72. All committed, however, than those term, expressly right de novo trial question their sanity 74 Law. Under any dissatisfied with order certifying demand full competency. If returns verdict must immediately discharged. It follows State, having made substantial generally issue, not, consistent Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment, arbitrarily withhold it some. 7 contends created reasonable classification differentiating 'criminally insane,' defines dangerous propensities. does dealt identically, distinction have some relevance made. Walters v. City St. Louis, 347 231, 237, 505, 509, 98 L.Ed. 660. Classification either course purposes determining type custodial medical given, whatever context show whether all. For granting before institutionalization, conceivable basis distinguishing who end commitments. 8 provided another respect well. judge only satisfy himself treatment ill.' Having finding, commit completely hands administrative officials.3 Except 384, others hospitals after proceedings presence safety patients employees, community.4 9 This cannot justified contention substantially similar one simply matter affecting fundamental rights. parties described various characteristics similarities dissimilarities As striking are, we make factual nature Dannemora; Legislature determination. By statute, persons, term. N.Y. 375. Civil York, hand, Certain privileges restricted statute. 388. Moreover, noted, specialized Correction. While assume among purely function, where, here, functionally distinct institutions, involuntary these institutions wholly arbitrary. 10 argues classify class together found since proven tendencies shown past records. points decisions supporting view. People rel. Kamisaroff Johnston, 13 66, 242 38, 192 11; Brunson 647, 255 867, 204 200. 11 find untenable Where propensities Correction, deny position solely ground term.5 presently danger strict security warranted. receive issue. demands same. 12 capriciousness employed thrown sharply into focus fact benefit withheld awaiting record entitled long time instituted. Given distinction, semblance rationality classification, purportedly based propensities, disappears. accord laws, conformity also remain judgment Division Supreme Court, Judicial reversed remanded inconsistent ordered. Reversed remanded. 16 BLACK concurs result. apparently permits counsel where can afford hire own makes provision present. See 1961 Op.N.Y.Atty.Gen. 180, 181. indigent, appeared when part: '1. Within thirty days prisoner hospital, continues shall apply certification hygiene law confinement charge. instituted ill, issue directing commissioner placed appropriate department correction designated agreement between heads departments.' case, retain otherwise unanimous conclusion testifying psychiatrists, including respondent himself, reason why institution. following portion transcript Surrogate: 'The COURT: (Addressing Dr. Herold) Have you man decrees? 'Dr. HEROLD: None whatever. And I, Sir, agree you. I finds. 'I hope will 'Good luck.' first hearing: 'Q. Do feel, Doctor, your records man, needs additional care? Is correct? 'A. (Dr. Kerr) Yes, sir. May say something point, sir? Surely. Since actually sir, my treated record, right.' 85, 135. Code Crim.Proc. 662—b(3)(b), 872(1)(b), amended, Laws 1965, 540, 2. Former 412 permitting Matteawan Hospital patient previously imprisonment, unconstitutional denial United States Carroll McNeill, 294 F.2d 117 (C.A.2d Cir. 1961), probable 368 951, 82 393, 385, vacated dismissed moot, 369 149, 685, 782, repealed 524. Even required showing manifested tendencies. oral argument, suggested evidence currently dangerous. Far procedure, serves accent arbitrary classification. commitments dangerous; Their fate decided unreviewable determinations

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