Opinion ID: 1919151
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Finality of the Commitment Order

Text: The first procedural question this Court must address is whether the Superior Court's June 19, 1987 order, committing Taylor to the Hospital, is interlocutory or final. This Court's jurisdiction to hear interlocutory appeals is limited. See Supr.Ct. R. 42. The June 19, 1987 order was issued pursuant to the authority contained in 16 Del.C. § 5010(2). Section 5010 provides for either the discharge of the involuntary patient if that person is not mentally ill or for the commitment of the involuntary patient for six months if that person is mentally ill. No further hearings or orders are required to effectuate Section 5010. A final judgment is generally defined as one which determines the merits of the controversy or the rights of the parties and leaves nothing for future determination or consideration. The test is whether such judgment or decree determines the substantial merits of the controversy and the material issues litigated or necessarily involved in the litigation. Showell Poultry, Inc. v. Delmarva Poultry Corp., Del. Supr., 146 A.2d 794, 796 (1958). Applying this test to the Superior Court's June 19, 1987 order by which Taylor was committed to the Hospital, we find that it is a final judgment. The involuntary commitment statute specifically provides for appeals to this Court from such an order of disposition. 16 Del.C. § 5013(a). Therefore, once the June 19, 1987 order expired, Sections 5010(2) and 5012(a) required another hearing and, hence, another order to continue Taylor's involuntary commitment at the Hospital. [6]