Opinion ID: 891607
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The State Has the Authority Under the MHDDC to Civilly Commit Defendant

Text: {29} The State's third and fourth arguments are interconnected. It maintains that, because it has no authority to civilly commit Defendant per the terms of the MHDDC, without criminally committing Defendant, the public safety will be compromised. We conclude that the State's authority under the MHDDC remains undiminished and the public safety is therefore not at issue. {30} The State contends that it has no authority under the MHDDC to initiate civil commitment proceedings against Defendant because only a guardian may commit an individual with mental retardation to habilitation under that statute. See § 43-1-3(H) (classifying mental retardation as a developmental disability); § 43-1-13(A) (establishing that the commitment of developmentally disabled adults to residential habilitation shall be by petition of a guardian). While it is true that only guardians may commit those with mental retardation to habilitation under the MHDDC, habilitation is not at issue in the instant case; habilitation is altogether different from civil commitment. The MHDDC defines habilitation as: the process by which professional persons and their staff assist the developmentally disabled client in acquiring and maintaining those skills and behaviors that enable the person to cope more effectively with the demands of the person's self and environment and to raise the level of the person's physical, mental and social efficiency. Section 43-1-3(L). Habilitation is akin to the teaching of basic life skills. Youngberg v. Romeo, 457 U.S. 307, 309 n. 1, 102 S.Ct. 2452, 73 L.Ed.2d 28 (1982). {31} Contrary to habilitation, civil commitment is purposed not just on the betterment of the individual, but on the public safety. Because there is a public interest in civilly committing dangerous individuals, the right to initiate the process is not as limited as with habilitation. The MHDDC clearly states that [a]fter an evaluation and upon reasonable notice, the district court may commit a dangerous defendant charged with a felony pursuant to [the NMMIC] or may dismiss the charges without prejudice and refer the defendant to the district attorney for possible initiation of proceedings under [the MHDDC]. Section 43-1-1(E). {32} In arguing about habilitation, the State apparently misapprehends the fact that Defendant is subject to civil commitment for his dangerousness, not his mental retardation. See id. The power of the State to civilly commit Defendant has its origin in the police power, the authority to provide the citizenry with a safe community in which to reside. See State v. Rotherham, 122 N.M. 246, 262, 923 P.2d 1131, 1147 (1996) (recognizing that the State has a compelling interest in committing dangerous incompetent defendants); see also § 43-1-12(C) (If. . . the factfinder determines by clear and convincing evidence that the client presents a likelihood of harm to himself or others, that extended treatment is likely to improve the client's condition and that the proposed . . . commitment is consistent with the least drastic means principle, the court shall order commitment. . . .) (emphasis added). A dangerous incompetent defendant may be detained by the State without regard to the circumstance that makes him or her incompetent, whether it be mental retardation or any other disability or illness. {33} The State's authorityand responsibilityto protect society from dangerous individuals under the MHDDC is unaffected by the Legislature's statement in Section 31-9-1.6 as to the manner in which those individuals should be detained. Further, society is equally protected from the danger of individuals like Defendant whether they are civilly or criminally committed. The State's third and fourth arguments are therefore without merit.