Court Opinion

ID: 9711147
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 04:25:15.554414+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:02.020694
License: Public Domain

Mr. JUSTICE GEORGE J. MORAN, dissenting: The application of the mootness doctrine to this case and the majority’s refusal to remand the cause to the trial court with directions to dismiss the complaint reaches an unconscionable result — the defendant is bound by a finding that he was in need of mental treatment and has no possible means of reviewing that finding. I do not believe the majority correctly applies the standard enunciated in In re Sciara, 21 Ill. App. 3d 889, 316 N.E.2d 153. While it is true that that court created a case-by-case approach in the application of the collateral consequences exception to the mootness doctrine, it also accepted the sound principle that an appeal should be held moot only where there is no possibility that any collateral legal consequences will result. (In re Sciara, 21 Ill. App. 3d 889, 895, 316 N.E.2d 153, 157. See also In re Ballay (D.C. Cir. 1973), 482 F.2d 648; In re Stephenson, 36 Ill. App. 3d 746, 344 N.E.2d 679.) In the present case appellant was found to have a “mental illness” which could result in harm to himself or to others. I am unable to say that there is no possibility that the commitment from which Boyd is appealing will not affect him adversely in some future commitment proceedings. Further, there is the very real possibility that his employment opportunities will be curtailed as a result of the disclosure of his commitment to the Department of Mental Health, despite his absolute discharge. The contention of the majority that any collateral consequences arising from Boyd’s commitment would be favorable is, at best, naive. Such a position totally disregards the social prejudices and the “multitude of legal disabilities radiating from the label ‘mentally incompetent’.” (In re Ballay (D.C. Cir. 1973), 482 F.2d 648, 651.) Accordingly, I feel that this court should reach the merits of appellant’s claim under the collateral consequences exception to the mootness doctrine. Even if it were true that this case could properly be deemed moot, I do not feel that it is appropriate to merely dismiss the appeal. Rather, we should set aside the judgment of the trial court and remand this case to the trial court with directions to dismiss the action. Such a procedure would reach a far more equitable result since the appellant is now precluded from having the merits of his claim reviewed. On this point I feel that the following language from Slaughter v. Thornton, 34 Ill. App. 3d 422, 339 N.E.2d 776, is pertinent: “Although the specific controversy which gave rise to this proceeding is no longer subject to appellate review it is by no means certain that the issues raised may not be relevant to another controversy presented by another proceeding. Defendants argue that a pending Federal action brought by the individual plaintiffs is based in part upon the same contentions raised here. To dismiss the appeal as moot could produce collateral legal consequences prejudicial to the defendants in that such a disposition would render the judgment of the trial court res judicata on these issues. (In re Sciara (1974), 21 Ill. App. 3d 889, 316 N.E.2d 153.) To offset that possibility, the judgment of the trial court, which cannot be reviewed because intervening events have made the issues moot, must be set aside. This disposition avoids the potential prejudice of the matter being considered res judicata since there will be no judgment on the merits of the case. Bankers Life & Casualty Co. v. City of Chicago (1961), 21 Ill. App. 2d 172, 171 N.E.2d 577; La Salle National Bank v. City of Chicago; Save-At Builders Products Co. v. American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees (1973), 13 Ill. App. 3d 846, 301 N.E.2d 67.” (34 Ill. App. 3d 422, 424-25; 339 N.E.2d 776, 779.) Furthermore, the Illinois Supreme Court decision in Wheeler v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., 57 Ill. 2d 184, 311 N.E.2d 134, on which the decision in In re Sciara, 21 Ill. App. 3d 889, 316 N.E.2d 153, was directly based, made the following disposition after determining that the case had been rendered moot: “Subsequent developments have rendered this case moot. The judgment of the appellate court will be vacated and the cause remanded to the circuit court of Cook County with directions to dismiss the complaint.” 57 Ill. 2d 184, 190, 311 N.E.2d 134, 137. For the foregoing reasons, it is my opinion that that court should reach the merits of this action. In addition, I believe the majority has further aggravated its error in its refusal to recognize clear and persuasive precedent by not remanding this action to the trial court with directions to dismiss the complaint. I dissent.