Opinion ID: 164556
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Duration of Commitment

Text: Mr. Gagan contends that his rights were violated by the duration of his commitment, which exceeded the time limits set forth in § 4247(b). Section 4247(b) provides that “[f]or the purposes of an examination pursuant to an order under section 4241 . . . the court may commit the person to be examined for a reasonable period, but not to exceed thirty days. . . . The director of the facility may apply for a reasonable extension, but not to exceed fifteen days under section 4241 . . . upon a showing of good cause that the additional time is necessary to observe and evaluate the defendant.” 18 U.S.C. § 4247(b). The record indicates that the district court granted two extensions of 30 days for the psychological evaluation to be completed, see Rec. doc. 109, 110, and 111. Thus, we agree with Mr. Gagan that the district court exceeded the statutorily prescribed 45-day limit on such evaluations. However, § 4247(b) 11 “contains time limitations for a mental examination but no express remedy for exceeding those limitations.” Taylor, 353 F.3d at 869. The warden of the Federal Medical Center at which Mr. Gagan was being evaluated asked for the extensions “due to the complexity of the case and the voluminous records sent to be reviewed.” Rec. doc. 109. The implication that the district court acted in bad faith or was unreasonable in granting the extensions is gratuitous. See id. at 870. Thus, we hold that Mr. Gagan’s rights were not violated by the duration of his commitment. See id.; but see id. (“Time limitations and provisions for extensions of time have been set forth clearly by Congress. Custodial institutions should read the statute and comply with its provisions.”) (Lucero, J., concurring).