Opinion ID: 2069196
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Risk of Erroneous Deprivation of Liberty

Text: The involuntary rehospitalization of a committed outpatient results in a temporary loss of liberty. Procedural due process serves to minimize the risk of the erroneous deprivation of that liberty. Richardson, supra, 481 A.2d at 482 (citing Greenholtz v. Inmates of Neb. Penal & Correctional Complex, 442 U.S. 1, 13, 99 S.Ct. 2100, 2106-07, 60 L.Ed.2d 668 (1979)). However, the Due Process Clause `does not mandate that all governmental decision making comply with standards that assure perfect, error-free determinations.' Id. (quoting Mackey v. Montrym, 443 U.S. 1, 13, 99 S.Ct. 2612, 2618-19, 61 L.Ed.2d 321 (1979)). At a minimum, due process requires notice and an opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner. Id. at 481 (citing Mathews, supra, 424 U.S. at 333, 96 S.Ct. at 902). The Hospital's procedures, if followed, together with statutory hearing rights for insanity acquittees meet due process requirements. Those procedures include a preliminary determination by mental health professionals that circumstances involving the patient's condition warrant at least temporary inpatient examination and care of the patient, consistent with the terms of the conditional release order. We have recognized the court's power to include in its order authorization to the Hospital to return a patient summarily for observation and treatment under certain circumstances. Richardson, supra, 481 A.2d at 481. The Hospital's procedure of providing notice to the court and the patient's counsel, generally within five days of the patient's return, which set forth the reason therefor, along with the right of the patient to move for a judicial hearing pursuant to D.C.Code § 24-301(k) meet the demands of due process.