Opinion ID: 2364188
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Commitment Hearing Requirements

Text: [¶ 6] Kevin contends that the court erred when it concluded that it could decide the hospital's petition having received the testimony of only one of the two psychologists previously appointed by the court to examine him. We review the District Court's interpretation of the involuntary commitment statute for errors of law. In re Marcial O., 1999 ME 64, ¶ 25, 728 A.2d 158, 163. [¶ 7] The statute governs examinations by licensed physicians and licensed clinical psychologists, and it provides that when an application for involuntary commitment is received, the court shall cause the person to be examined by 2 examiners. 34-B M.R.S.A. § 3864(4)(A). The same section governing examinations provides that [i]f the report of the examiners is to the effect that the person is mentally ill or poses a likelihood of serious harm, [a] hearing shall be held. Id. § 3864(4)(D). If the examiners conclude that the person is not mentally ill or does not pose a likelihood of serious harm, then the court will discharge the application. 34-B M.R.S.A. § 3864(4)(C) (1988). [¶ 8] A separate subsection of the involuntary commitment statute sets forth the requirements for the hearing and provides that the court shall receive all relevant and material evidence which may be offered in accordance with accepted rules of evidence and accepted judicial dispositions. 34-B M.R.S.A. § 3864(5)(C) (1988). It also states that the person, the applicant and all other persons to whom notice is required to be sent shall be afforded an opportunity to appear at the hearing to testify and to present and cross-examine witnesses. Id. § 3864(5)(C)(1). The court may, in its discretion, receive the testimony of any other person and may subpoena any witness. Id. § 3864(5)(C)(2). [¶ 9] Contrary to Kevin's contention, there is no language in section 3864(5)(C) that can be construed to expressly or implicitly require that both of the examiners appointed pursuant to section 3864(4)(A) testify at the hearing. Although both examiners are subject to being called to testify at the hearing, the statute does not mandate that both testify as a prerequisite to a court's determination that the requirements for commitment have been established. Accordingly, the District Court did not err by ordering Kevin's commitment where only one of two examiners testified at the hearing. [¶ 10] Kevin also contends that the failure to have both examiners testify at the involuntary commitment hearing violates his due process rights. Because we conclude that there is no statutory right to have a hearing where two examiners are present to testify, any right to such a hearing must be found within the due process clause of the constitution. See Geary v. Dep't of Behavioral & Developmental Servs., 2003 ME 151, ¶ 18, 838 A.2d 1162, 1166. We look to three factors to determine whether the hearing comported with due process requirements: (1) the private interest affected; (2) the risk of error inherent in the procedure; and (3) the government interest in the procedure. Green v. Comm'r of Mental Health & Mental Retardation, 2000 ME 92, ¶ 18, 750 A.2d 1265, 1271-72. Balancing these three factors, we conclude that Kevin's commitment hearing did not violate his right to due process. [¶ 11] Both the private and governmental interests in an involuntary commitment proceeding are substantial. Kevin has a fundamental liberty interest at stake, including the right to not be involuntarily confined merely for idiosyncratic behavior, Green, 2000 ME 92, ¶ 19, 750 A.2d at 1272, or based on insufficient evidence. The governmental interest in the proceeding is also important because the commitment process is intended to protect the individual who is the subject of the proceeding, as well as the public, from harm. See id. ¶ 20, 750 A.2d at 1272. [¶ 12] Because of the importance of both the individual and governmental interests in an involuntary commitment proceeding, the process employed must also be substantial in order to ensure that risk of error associated with a commitment determination is low. The statute mandates that relevant and material evidence must be admitted to prove that the individual is mentally ill, poses a likelihood of serious harm ... [and that] inpatient hospitalization is the best available means for the treatment of the person. 34-B M.R.S.A. § 3864(5)(C), (E). The statute also requires proof of the elements supporting an involuntary commitment by the heightened standard of clear and convincing evidence. 34-B M.R.S.A. § 3864(6)(A)(1) (Pamph. 2003). In addition, the individual who is the subject of the proceeding is represented by counsel and has the right to request the court to compel the attendance of witnesses, including both of the examiners, at the hearing. See 34-B §§ 3864(5)(C)(2), 3864(5)(D). [¶ 13] The procedural safeguards associated with the involuntary commitment hearing process are commensurate with the substantial private and public interests at issue. Mandating that both examiners testify at the hearing as a prerequisite to a commitment determination would not significantly reduce the risk of error. Indeed, in some instances it would foster the presentation of cumulative evidence and serve as a potential source for delay in the timely completion of the commitment process. Here, for example, the court received both expert and lay testimony concerning Kevin's psychiatric condition and needs. [3] Kevin does not suggest that if Dr. Smith had testified at the hearing the testimony would have provided the court with an expert opinion substantially different from Dr. Leone's opinion, or that the testimony would have resulted in a different outcome. Nor does Kevin cite to any impediment in his right to have requested the court to compel Dr. Smith's appearance at the hearing if he had so elected. Accordingly, we conclude that Kevin's due process rights were not violated by the process authorized by the involuntary commitment statute.