Court Opinion

ID: 9771421
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 16:42:57.689216+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:31.028730
License: Public Domain

FENNER, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion herein.
In re Link, 713 S.W.2d 487, 496 (Mo. banc 1986) specifically directs that when counsel for a person alleged to be incapacitated or disabled indicates a desire to waive the individual’s rights under Section 475.-075.8, RSMo 1986, that the court cannot simply presume that the waiver is authorized or appropriate, but that the trial court *72must ascertain from counsel whether the decision is the individual’s own choice or the product of counsel’s own best judgment. In either event, the trial court is required to determine for itself whether the individual in fact wishes to waive his rights and, if so, whether the individual is capable of making a knowing and intelligent waiver or alternatively whether the individual is so incapacitated or disabled to warrant counsel’s action in the individual’s behalf. Id.
Furthermore, the Missouri Supreme Court has directed that the right to a jury trial in a proceeding of this nature as granted under Section 475.075.8, RSMo 1986, must be waived affirmatively on the record and in the same fashion as under criminal rule 27.01. Id. at 495.
In the case at bar, there was no waiver of rights by Delores Couch or by counsel on her behalf and there was no determination made by the court as to whether Delores Couch was capable of making a knowing and intelligent waiver as required by Link. Unless and until the Missouri Supreme Court reconsiders its position as expressed in Link, trial courts and this court alike are obligated to follow that opinion.
In accordance with Link, I believe that this cause should be remanded for a new trial.