The trial court then ordered Nelson discharged and declared the motion for a new trial moot. Nelson appeals, claiming the trial court erred in concluding her motion for a new trial was moot. We reverse and remand. Decision A court will not rule on moot issues, although an exception arises for issues capable of repetition yet evading review.
Collateral consequences can also preclude a finding of mootness.
State ex rel. Nelson challenges the merits of her commitment, not her prehearing confinement. The use of a commitment in subsequent civil commitment proceedings may be a collateral consequence to the commitment. In addition, the short duration of a commitment may preclude review on the merits. In this case, Nelson was committed less than four months before she was discharged.