Court Opinion

ID: 4194684
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-08-10 07:16:53.763253+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:46:21.058706
License: Public Domain

NO. 12-17-00098-CV

                             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                 TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

                                         TYLER, TEXAS

THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR                                §       APPEAL FROM THE

THE BEST INTEREST AND                                 §       COUNTY COURT AT LAW

PROTECTION OF R.L.J.                                  §       CHEROKEE COUNTY, TEXAS

                                      MEMORANDUM OPINION
       The trial court issued an order authorizing the administration of psychoactive medications
to Appellant, R.L.J., a patient committed to a mental health facility under Chapter 46B of the
code of criminal procedure.1 In one issue, Appellant contends that the evidence is legally and
factually insufficient to show that (1) he lacked the capacity to make a decision regarding the
administration of the proposed psychoactive medication, and (2) it was in his best interest to be
treated with the psychoactive medication. We affirm.

                                              BACKGROUND
       Appellant was found incompetent to stand trial and was committed to the Rusk State
Hospital for examination and treatment with the specific objective of his attaining competency.
Appellant refused to take the medication prescribed for his condition.       He denied he was
mentally ill and needed medication. Ultimately, he refused to discuss medications. On March
22, 2017, his treating physician, Dr. Stephen Poplar, signed an application to order the
administration of psychoactive medications. After a hearing on April 4, 2017, the court granted
the order. This appeal followed.

       1
           TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 46B.073 (West Supp. 2016)
                                 SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
       In his sole issue, Appellant challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence to
support the trial court’s order authorizing the administration of psychoactive medication.
Standard of Review
       The trial court must find by clear and convincing evidence the statutory requisites for its
order. TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 574.106(a-1) (West 2017). Clear and convincing
evidence is that degree of proof which will produce in the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or
conviction as to the truth of the allegations sought to be established. State v. Addington, 588
S.W.2d 569, 570 (Tex. 1979) (per curiam).
       In reviewing a legal sufficiency claim, we look at all the evidence in the light most
favorable to the finding to determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could have formed a firm
belief or conviction that its finding was true. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002).
When reviewing factual sufficiency, we must give due consideration to evidence that the fact
finder could reasonably have found to be clear and convincing and then determine whether,
based on the entire record, a fact finder could reasonably form a firm conviction or belief that the
allegations in the petition were proven. Id. The reviewing court must consider whether the
disputed evidence is such that a reasonable fact finder could not have reconciled that disputed
evidence in favor of its finding. Id. If the disputed evidence is so significant that a fact finder
cold not reasonably have formed a firm belief in the finding, the evidence is factually
insufficient. Id.
Applicable Law
       A trial court may issue an order authorizing the administration of one or more classes of
psychoactive medications to a patient who is under a court order to receive inpatient mental
health services. TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 574.106(a)(1) (West 2017). The court
may issue an order under this section only if it finds by clear and convincing evidence after a
hearing that (1) the patient lacks the capacity to make a decision regarding the administration of
the proposed medication, and (2) treatment with the proposed medication is in the best interest of
the patient. Id. § 574.106(a-1)(1). “Capacity” refers to a patient’s ability to (1) understand the
nature and consequences of a proposed treatment, including the benefits, risks, and alternatives
to the proposed treatment, and (2) make a decision whether to undergo the proposed treatment.
Id. § 574.101(1) (West 2017). A patient does not have the capacity to make a decision regarding

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the administration of medications if the patient does not understand the nature of his mental
illness or the necessity of the medications. See A.S. v. State, 286 S.W.3d 69, 73 (Tex. App.—
Dallas 2009, no pet.).
       In making its findings, the trial court shall consider (1) the patient’s expressed
preferences regarding treatment with psychoactive medication, (2) the patient’s religious beliefs,
(3) the risks and benefits, from the perspective of the patient, of taking psychoactive medication,
(4) the consequences to the patient if the psychoactive medication is not administered, (5) the
prognosis for the patient if treated with psychoactive medication, (6) alternative, less intrusive
treatments that are likely to produce the same results as treatment with psychoactive medication,
and (7) less intrusive treatments likely to secure the patient’s agreement to take the psychoactive
medication. TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 574.106(b) (West 2017).
Discussion
       Dr. Poplar testified that Appellant suffers from schizophrenia. According to Dr. Poplar,
Appellant’s mental illness manifests itself in several ways. He believes the legal system is
colluding against him, including his lawyer and the judge. He told Dr. Poplar that when this is
over he intends to put the judge in jail.     He believes that Appellant has an extrasensory,
nonverbal ability to communicate with other people. Dr. Poplar further testified that Appellant
believes he has a special relationship with God that will keep him from being punished.
       Dr. Poplar explained that Appellant does not believe he has a mental illness. Dr. Poplar
testified that he does not believe that Appellant can rationally weigh the benefits and risks of
taking the recommended medication. He refused to take the recommended medication and
ultimately refused to even discuss medication with Dr. Poplar.
       In the sworn application entered in evidence, Dr. Poplar stated that the administration of
psychoactive medications was the correct course of treatment for Appellant and that the benefits
of psychoactive medication outweighed the risks.         Dr. Poplar further stated that medical
alternatives to psychoactive medications had been considered and that no alternative treatment
would be as effective as psychoactive medication in restoring Appellant’s competency.
       In his brief testimony, Appellant told the court “ain’t nothing wrong with me.”
Accordingly, he did not see a need to take medication. He also believed that he is legally
competent to stand trial.

                                                3
         In reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the trial court’s findings, we
conclude that a reasonable trier of fact could have formed a firm belief or conviction that its
findings were true. See In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. Based on a review of all the evidence,
we conclude a reasonable fact finder could resolve the disputed evidence in favor of the trial
court’s finding and could reasonably form a firm belief or conviction that Appellant lacked the
capacity to make a decision regarding the administration of the proposed medications and
treatment with the proposed medication was in his best interests. See id.; see also TEX. HEALTH
& SAFETY CODE ANN. §§ 574.101(1), 574.106(a-1)(1).                        The evidence is both legally and
factually sufficient. Appellant’s issue is overruled.

                                                   DISPOSITION
         Having overruled Appellant’s sole issue, the trial court’s order authorizing the
administration of psychoactive medications is affirmed.

                                                                               BILL BASS
                                                                                Justice

Opinion delivered August 9, 2017.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Neeley, J., and Bass, Retired J., Twelfth Court of Appeals, sitting by assignment.

                                                   (PUBLISH)

                                                          4
                                   COURT OF APPEALS

      TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                                           JUDGMENT

                                            AUGUST 9, 2017

                                          NO. 12-17-00098-CV

                          THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR THE BEST
                         INTEREST AND PROTECTION OF R. L. J.

                                Appeal from the County Court at Law
                           of Cherokee County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. 42097)

                       THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and briefs filed
herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this court that there was no error in the
trial court’s order authorizing the administration of psychoactive medications.
                       It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the order of
the court below authorizing the administration of psychoactive medications be in all things
affirmed, and that this decision be certified to the court below for observance.
                    Bill Bass, Justice.
                    Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Neeley, J. and Bass, Retired J., Twelfth Court of Appeals,
                    sitting by assignment.