Court Opinion

ID: 9898581
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-14 19:31:40.379362+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:19.326195
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                        Washington State
                                                                                        Court of Appeals
                                                                                         Division Two

                                                                                          May 9, 2023
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                          DIVISION II
 In the Matter of the Detention of:                                 No. 56975-2-II

 Z.L.,

                             Appellant.                      UNPUBLISHED OPINION

         VELJACIC, J. — ZL appeals the trial court’s order committing him to involuntary treatment

for up to 180 days under chapter 71.05 RCW after denying ZL’s request for a continuance. We

hold that the court did not abuse its discretion, or deny ZL his due process rights, in denying the

continuance. Accordingly, we affirm the order committing ZL to involuntary treatment for 180

days.

                                             FACTS

         At the time of his involuntary commitment, ZL was a 37-year-old man with schizoaffective

disorder. ZL initially was committed at Western State Hospital (WSH) in September 2019

pursuant to a court order.

         On April 6, 2022, two doctors filed a 180-day civil commitment petition to continue ZL’s

commitment. The hearing on the petition was schedule for April 28. Shortly after WSH called its

first witness, ZL interrupted the hearing and requested to meet with his lawyer.

         Counsel then relayed to the trial court that ZL wanted a continuance. Counsel explained

to the court that the day before he had met with ZL, ZL requested that counsel contact three

potential witnesses. Counsel e-mailed the three individuals but they did not respond.
56975-2-II

       The trial court denied the motion, stating “I am going to deny that motion, there was—

those were witnesses that were known in advance of this hearing and so I will deny the motion to

continue the hearing, so we’ll proceed today.” Report of Proceedings (RP) at 12-13. The trial

court then offered ZL additional time to confer with his attorney.

       When the hearing resumed, the court indicated to the parties that it was rethinking its

decision to deny the continuance and permitted WSH to respond to the continuance request. WSH

asked the court to deny the continuance because the potential witnesses were “outside witnesses”

and not involved with ZL’s treatment. RP at 14. WSH argued that the testimony of outside

witnesses would not be relevant to determine the issue of grave disability. WSH also argued that

it was unclear if the “‘outside people’ are illusory” and that continuing the matter without more

right before the hearing “would both . . . prejudice the State and would prejudice the patients” RP

at 15. ZL responded that the court regularly allows outside witnesses to testify in these matters as

to the issue of placement.

       After listening to both WSH’s and ZL’s arguments, the trial court affirmed its prior

decision to deny the continuance. The 180-day commitment hearing proceeded. At the conclusion

of the hearing, the court found ZL gravely disabled and not ready for a least restrictive alternative

and ordered ZL to be committed to WSH for 180 days. ZL appeals the trial court’s 180-day

commitment order.

                                            ANALYSIS

       ZL contends that the trial court abused its discretion in denying his request for a

continuance and that the denial violated his due process rights. We disagree.

       The involuntary treatment act (ITA), chapter 71.05 RCW, aims to protect the health and

safety of those suffering from behavioral health disorders and to protect public safety. RCW

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56975-2-II

71.05.010(1)(a). Under the ITA, if a person is a serious harm to themselves or others, or is in

danger due to being gravely disabled, they can be committed for 14 days of involuntary intensive

treatment or 90 days of less restrictive treatment, following a petition and hearing. RCW

71.05.230, .240(1). If more treatment is needed after the 14-day period of intensive treatment,

another hearing can be held to commit the person for 90 or 180 days, if they have harmed

themselves, others, or property, or are gravely disabled. RCW 71.05.280(1), (4), .320.

       In a hearing for involuntary commitment, a court can continue a proceeding if there is a

showing of good cause. RCW 71.05.236(1). Decisions to grant a motion for a continuance are

reviewed under an abuse of discretion. In re Detention of G.V., 124 Wn.2d 288, 295, 877 P.2d

680 (1994). We will not reverse a trial court’s decision unless the appellant shows that the court’s

decision was manifestly unreasonable or exercised on untenable grounds. State v. Downing, 151

Wn.2d 265, 272, 87 P.3d 1169 (2004). “In exercising discretion to grant or deny a continuance,

trial courts may consider many factors, including surprise, diligence, redundancy, due process,

materiality, and maintenance of orderly procedure.” Id. at 273.

       “‘When denial of a motion to continue allegedly violates constitutional due process rights,

the appellant must show either prejudice by the denial or the result of the trial would likely have

been different if the continuance was granted.’” In re Termination of A.D.R., 185 Wn. App. 76,

87, 340 P.3d 252 (2014) (quoting In re Dependency of V.R.R., 134 Wn. App. 573, 581, 141 P.3d

85 (2006)). We review whether the denial of a continuance amounts to a constitutional violation

on a case-by-case basis. Downing, 151 Wn.2d at 275.

       Shortly after WSH called its first witness at ZL’s involuntary commitment hearing, ZL

asked to speak to counsel. Counsel explained to the trial court that ZL wanted a continuance

because three alleged witnesses had not responded to counsel’s e-mails the day before. The trial

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56975-2-II

court denied the motion because the individuals were known in advance of the hearing. The court

reconsidered its initial ruling and allowed further argument. WSH asked the court to deny the

continuance because the potential witnesses were “outside witnesses” and not relevant to ZL’s

treatment. RP at 14. WSH also pointed out that in such cases, the State and the patients would be

prejudiced in delaying the involuntary commitment proceeding without more on the day of the

hearing. The trial court then affirmed its prior decision.

        Based on the above, the trial court had tenable grounds to move forward with the

involuntary commitment hearing because ZL delayed in requesting a continuance and made no

showing of the relevance of the witnesses. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in

denying ZL’s request for a continuance. Because ZL was able to present his argument for a

continuance and because the trial court properly considered his argument and did not abuse its

discretion in denying the motion, we see no due process violation.

                                          CONCLUSION

        We affirm the trial court’s order committing ZL for 180 days of involuntary commitment.

        A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2.06.040,

it is so ordered.

                                                              Veljacic, J.

We concur:

        Maxa, J.

        Glasgow, C.J.

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