Court Opinion

ID: 1036509
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-08-05 19:52:34.662722+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:34:25.049875
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                                                                                      O
                                                                                        C_3   coo
In re Detention of                                  NO.70369-2-1                              ~'£-
                                                                                    fc-4j
                                                                                              •*""'- '•'->
                                                                                    T«»            i —;
                                                                                              1 i T
                                                                                    £~'„
       JOSHUA GARCIA,                               DIVISION ONE                    C'j
                                                                                         I
                                                                                    en        -£—.
STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                                                r-™       (J) r-~

                                                                                    —••

                                                                                              '. -'-.' 'r .';
                     Respondent,                    UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                                                                                    _

                                                                                        -.

         v.                                                                         f\3       (~i!i^
                                                                                    CO        ^:<-
                                                    FILED: August 5, 2013
JOSHUA GARCIA,

                     Appellant.

       Lau, J. — Under the involuntary treatment act, chapter 71.05 RCW, a person

named in a 90-day involuntary treatment petition implicitly waives a jury trial unless he

or she demands a jury as provided by Superior Court Mental Proceedings Rule

(MPR) 3.3(b). Because our record contains no evidence that Joshua Garcia demanded

a jury trial under MPR 3.3(b), we hold that the trial court properly entered its 90-day

involuntary treatment order without a jury trial.
70369-2 -112

                                          FACTS

       On April 20, 2012, the State petitioned under chapter 71.05 RCWto involuntarily

detain Garcia, alleging that his schizoaffective disorder and history of alcohol abuse

rendered him gravely disabled. That same day, the trial court ordered an initial 72-hour

detention. On April 23, the State filed a 14-day involuntary treatment petition. Following

a probable cause hearing, the court ordered up to 14 days of involuntary treatment. On

May 3, the State petitioned for an additional 90 days of involuntary treatment.

       The court heard the 90-day petition on May 8. Defense counsel appeared and

stated he met with Garcia twice before the hearing. Counsel indicated that Garcia

expressed interest in a jury trial but ultimately decided he wanted an immediate decision

on the petition. Garcia, who was present at the hearing, agreed that counsel's remarks

were accurate. The court proceeded to hear the petition without a jury.

       A mental health professional who evaluated Garcia testified that among other

grounds supporting involuntary treatment, Garcia had poor hygiene, often urinated on

the floor, required crushed medication, and was paranoid, delusional, and strongly

influenced by internal stimuli. She also testified he had no independent living skills and

would not be able to care for himself if released. Garcia also testified. He stated that if

released, he would take a bus to Walla Walla and stay at a labor camp apartment.

       The court found by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that Garcia was

gravely disabled and that less restrictive alternatives to involuntary detention were not in

his best interests. It ordered up to 90 days of involuntary treatment at Western State

Hospital. Garcia appeals his 90-day involuntary treatment order.

                                          -2-
70369-2 -I /3

                                           ANALYSIS

       Garcia's sole contention is that the trial court erred in ordering involuntary

treatment without an effective waiver of his right to a jury trial.1 We hold that Garcia
waived his jury trial right by failing to demand a jury as provided by MPR 3.3(b).

       A person named in a 90-day involuntary treatment petition has a right to a jury

trial under Washington Constitution, article 1, section 21, which provides, "The right of

trial by jury shall remain inviolate . . . ." But while the right to a jury trial remains

inviolate, "the legislature may provide ... for waiving of the jury in civil cases where the

consent of the parties interested is given thereto." Wash. Const., art. 1, § 21. When it

enacted the involuntary treatment act, the legislature conferred express authority on our

Supreme Court to "adopt such rules as it shall deem necessary with respect to the court

procedures and proceedings provided for by this chapter." RCW 71.05.570. The

Supreme Court then promulgated the MPR. See In re Matter of McLaughlin, 100 Wash. 2d
832, 844, 676 P.2d 444 (1984). As discussed below, MPR 3.3(b) provides that a

detained person waives a jury trial absent a jury demand.

       When the State files a 90-day involuntary treatment petition, the court clerk must

set a time for a preliminary appearance on the following judicial day unless the detained

person's attorney waives the appearance. RCW 71.05.300(1). At the preliminary

appearance, the court must advise the detained person of his or her right to a jury trial.2

       1Garcia argues, "The court erred in entering a 90-day commitment order without
appellant's knowing, intelligent and voluntary waiver of his right to a jurytrial." Br. of
Appellant at 1.

       2 Our record does not indicate whether Garcia appeared at or waived the
preliminary appearance. Regardless, he makes no argument related to that issue. Any
                                             -3-
70369-2 -I /4

RCW 71.05.300(2). The detained person then has two judicial days to demand a jury

trial "by serving upon the prosecuting attorney a demand therefor in writing, by filing the

demand therefor with the clerk." MPR 3.3(b). If the detained person demands a jury

trial as provided by MRP 3.3(b), a jury trial must commence within ten judicial days after

the preliminary appearance. RCW 71.05.310. Otherwise, "the matter shall be heard

without a jury." MPR 3.3(b).

       Garcia contends that a jury trial waiver is effective only if the record affirmatively

establishes that the wavier was knowing, voluntary, and intelligent. While the knowing,

voluntary, and intelligent requirement unquestionably applies to jury trial waivers in

criminal cases,3 Garcia cites no controlling case authority applying that requirement to
civil involuntary treatment proceedings under chapter 71.05 RCW.4 Further, he offers
no persuasive rationale to depart from the procedures discussed above, which are

consistent with the general approach to jury trial rights in civil cases.5 We adhere to the
jury demand and waiver procedures in MRP 3.3(b) and RCW 71.05.300-310.6

assignment of error involving the preliminary appearance is waived. RAP 10.3(a)(4);
RAP 10.3(g); Unioard Ins. Co. v. Mut. of Enumclaw Ins. Co., 160 Wash. App. 912, 922,
250P.3d121 (2011).

        3 See, e.g.. City of Bellevue v. Acrev. 103 Wash. 2d 203, 207, 691 P.2d 957 (1984)
(a criminal defendant must waive his or her right to a jury trial knowingly, voluntarily, and
intelligently); State v. Hos. 154 Wash. App. 238, 249, 225 P.2d 389 (2010) (same).

       4 In In re Detention of J.S., 138 Wash. App. 882, 895, 159 P.3d 435 (2007),
Division Two of this court required a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of the
right to counsel in involuntary treatment proceedings under chapter 71.05 RCW. J.S. is
inapposite because it did not address the question of jury trial waivers.

       5 See CR 38(b)-(d) flury waived unless requesting party files and serves a jury
demand and pays the jury fee); CR 39(b)(1) (issues for which no jury demand is made
will generally be tried bv the court): Sackett v. Santilli, 101 Wash. App. 128, 133-34,5
                                           -4-
70369-2 -I /5

       Our record contains no evidence that Garcia demanded a jury trial under

MPR 3.3(b). Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not err when it decided the

State's petition without a jury. We affirm the court's 90-day involuntary treatment order.

WE CONCUR:

P.3d 11 (2000) (civil rules permitting implied consent to bench trial in the absence of a
jury demand comport with Washington Constitution, article 1, section 21); see also
4A Karl B. Tegland, Washington Practice: Rules Practice MPR 3.3, at 601 (7th ed.
2008) ("The statute [RCW 71.05.310] allows a jury trial on the issue of 90-day or 180-
day treatment, but does not specify a procedure for demanding a jury trial. MPR 3.3(b)
fills this gap with an adaptation of CR 38(b)."). We note that in proceedings under the
sexually violent predator act, chapter 71.09 RCW, no jury trial is held unless demanded
by the detained person, prosecuting agency, or judge. RCW 71.09.050(3); In re Pet, of
Coppin, 157 Wash. App. 537, 542, 238 P.3d 1192 (2010).

       6 Garcia articulates no cogent argument that MPR 3.3(b) is unconstitutional.
                                          -5-