Court Opinion

ID: 9525949
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 03:09:54.025339+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:17:44.916221
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE KNECHT, dissenting: Shirley M. was absent from the hearing where the trial court approved her involuntary admission. The lawyer who represented her at the hearing never saw or spoke to her. A clinical psychologist testified it would be harmful to order the facility to bring Shirley M. to the hearing against her will. The same clinical psychologist diagnosed her and opined as to her need for involuntary treatment even though he did not examine her, inform her of the purpose of the examination, or inform her as to her rights. The majority concludes Shirley M. was uncooperative, refused to attend the hearing, refused to see or talk to her attorney, did not want to speak to the clinical psychologist, and was afforded all the procedural safeguards afforded by the statute. I disagree. Shirley M. cannot thwart the court process by refusing to cooperate, but the State cannot prevail by presenting scant evidence of her lack of cooperation and making no effort to accommodate her right to counsel. No evidence supports the clinical psychologist’s opinion it would be harmful to require her to attend the hearing against her will. Her attorney asked to be allowed to see and speak with his client in her room or within her residential hall. The facility, the prosecutor, and the trial court made no effort to accommodate her right to counsel. The clinical psychologist’s single failed attempt to examine or interview Shirley M. and advise her of her rights does not constitute a good-faith effort to comply with the statute. Shirley M.’s liberty was at stake. The right to counsel is fundamental. Her lack of cooperation does not trump her right to due process or the responsibility of those who seek to confine her to make a reasonable and measured effort to accommodate that right. I would reverse.