Court Opinion

ID: 4364502
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-02-04 21:07:26.696549+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:49:11.479227
License: Public Domain

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                                                                            Date: 2019.01.17
                                    Appellate Court                         14:02:01 -06'00'

                      In re Christopher C., 2018 IL App (5th) 150301

Appellate Court         In re CHRISTOPHER C., Alleged to Be a Person Subject to
Caption                 Involuntary Administration of Psychotropic Medication (The People
                        of the State of Illinois, Petitioner-Appellee, v. Christopher C.,
                        Respondent-Appellant).

District & No.          Fifth District
                        Docket No. 5-15-0301

Rule 23 order filed     October 18, 2018
Motion to publish
granted                 November 16, 2018
Opinion filed           November 16, 2018

Decision Under          Appeal from the Circuit Court of Randolph County, No. 15-MH-74;
Review                  the Hon. Richard A. Brown, Judge, presiding.

Judgment                Reversed.

Counsel on              Veronique Baker and Barbara A. Goeben, of Guardianship and
Appeal                  Advocacy Commission, of Alton, for appellant.

                        Jeremy R. Walker, State’s Attorney, of Chester (Patrick Delfino,
                        David J. Robinson, and Chelsea E. Kasten, of State’s Attorneys
                        Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, of counsel), for the People.
     Panel                    PRESIDING JUSTICE BARBERIS delivered the judgment of the
                              court, with opinion.
                              Justice Moore concurred in the judgment and opinion.
                              Justice Cates dissented, with opinion.

                                                OPINION

¶1         The respondent, Christopher C., appeals from the order of the circuit court of Randolph
       County authorizing the involuntary administration of psychotropic medication and testing,
       pursuant to section 2-107.1(a-5) of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code
       (Code) (405 ILCS 5/2-107.1(a-5) (West 2014)). The respondent argues that the court’s order
       failed to comply with the Code (id. § 2-107.1(a-5)(4)(G), (a-5)(6)) because (1) the State failed
       to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the testing and procedures requested in the
       petition were essential for the safe and effective administration of the medication and (2) the
       court’s designation of specific persons authorized to administer treatment was not supported
       by the evidence. In addition, the respondent argues that he was denied effective assistance of
       counsel. For the reasons that follow, we reverse.

¶2                                              I. Background
¶3         The respondent was admitted to the Chester Mental Health Center (CMHC) on May 21,
       2015, after he was found unfit to stand trial on a charge for aggravated assault. On July 23,
       2015, the respondent’s treating psychiatrist at CMHC, Dr. Nageswararao Vallabhaneni, filed a
       petition seeking an order authorizing the involuntary administration of psychotropic
       medications and testing, alleging the tests were necessary for the safe and effective
       administration of the medications. The petition detailed the primary and alternative
       medications, tests, and procedures in three separate tables that Dr. Vallabhaneni recommended
       for the respondent. The first table listed two primary medications, specifically, olanzapine and
       lorazepam. The second table listed two alternative medications, specifically, risperidone and
       clonazepam. The third table indicated that periodic blood draws and tests would be necessary
       to monitor the respondent’s medication, electrolyte, and enzyme levels.
¶4         On July 29, 2015, the circuit court held a hearing on the petition. Dr. Vallabhaneni testified
       to the following. Dr. Vallabhaneni evaluated and then diagnosed the respondent with psychotic
       disorder, not otherwise specified. Because the respondent had a long history of recurrent
       symptoms (i.e., threatening and disruptive behavior), Dr. Vallabhaneni opined that the
       respondent’s mental illness had resulted in a deterioration of his ability to function.
¶5         Dr. Vallabhaneni described specific occasions where the respondent had displayed
       threatening and disruptive behavior. While in jail for the most recent aggravated battery
       charge, the respondent refused medication and was placed in isolation after he threatened to
       physically harm inmates and staff members. After the respondent was ordered to undergo a
       fitness evaluation, he was found unfit to stand trial and remanded to CMHC for treatment.
       While at CMHC, the respondent had to be physically restrained in an isolated, quiet room on
       several occasions, and during one incident, he was forced to take emergency medication to
       control his disruptive behavior. While the respondent denied suffering from a mental illness,
       he had voluntarily taken the maximum recommended dose of Seroquel because he believed the

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       medication treated anxiety. Despite taking the maximum dose of Seroquel, the respondent
       continued to display psychotic and paranoid behaviors. Although Dr. Vallabhaneni advised the
       respondent that Seroquel had been ineffective and recommended the administration of
       different medications, the respondent refused to consent to the administration of different
       medications.
¶6         Dr. Vallabhaneni testified that the respondent lacked the capacity to make a reasoned
       decision about his treatment and condition. Dr. Vallabhaneni explained that his opinions and
       conclusions were based on the respondent’s denial of his mental illness, limited insight, and
       refusal to take medication and participate in a treatment intervention. Dr. Vallabhaneni stated
       that the respondent was provided with written documents that listed the alternatives to
       medication and provided detailed information about the benefits and potential side effects of
       each medication. When asked if, in his medical opinion, the benefits of the listed treatments
       and medications far outweighed any harm that could arise from the medications, Dr.
       Vallabhaneni responded, “Yes, they do.” After Dr. Vallabhaneni discussed the purpose and
       potential side effects of each medication, the State asked Dr. Vallabhaneni whether he sought
       the “ability to test so [the psychotropic medications] may be safely administered. Since [the
       respondent is] not on the medications yet, you are going to establish a blood level?” Dr.
       Vallabhaneni responded, “Yes.” The State then inquired whether Dr. Vallabhaneni had
       established a blood level, since the respondent had been taking Seroquel, and Dr. Vallabhaneni
       replied, “That is correct.”
¶7         The State admitted the petition into evidence without objection. The written information
       that was provided to the respondent was also attached to the petition. The written information
       indicated that blood tests “may be needed to check for unwanted effects” from olanzapine and
       that “lab tests” would be conducted at regular visits to check the effects of each medication.
¶8         The respondent testified to the following details. He was on permanent physical disability
       because he had suffered a leg injury in April 2014. The respondent’s leg injury had been
       treated by a medical doctor, as well as several surgeons. The respondent explained that his
       medical doctors and surgeons had advised him against taking the medications.
¶9         After considering the testimony and exhibits introduced at the hearing, the circuit court
       entered an order for the administration of authorized involuntary treatment, finding the
       respondent had a serious mental illness, had exhibited deterioration in his ability to function,
       and had exhibited threatening behavior. The court’s order listed olanzapine and lorazepam as
       the respondent’s primary medications and risperidone and clonazepam as the respondent’s
       alternative medications. Additionally, the court authorized periodic blood draws and tests to
       monitor medication, electrolyte, and enzyme levels, finding the tests and procedures essential
       for the safe and effective administration of treatment. The order specified that the treatment
       would be administered by “N. Vallabhaneni, M.D., Psychiatrist at Chester Mental Health
       Center.” The order also stated that the respondent’s alternative psychiatrists would be “the
       psychiatric staff at Chester Mental Health Center including: T. Casey; R. Gupta; P. Tiongson;
       M. Reddy; M. Galioto; and R. Maitra.” This appeal followed.

¶ 10                                          II. Analysis
¶ 11       On appeal, the respondent raises three issues in support of his contention that the circuit
       court’s order authorizing the administration of involuntary treatment and testing should be
       reversed. First, the respondent argues that the State failed to prove by clear and convincing

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       evidence that the tests and other procedures ordered by the court were essential for the safe and
       effective administration of treatment. Second, the respondent argues that the court’s order
       designating specific persons to administer the medication was unsupported by the evidence.
       Third, the respondent argues he was denied effective assistance of counsel.
¶ 12        Before addressing the merits of the respondent’s arguments, we must first address the issue
       of mootness. “An appeal is considered moot where it presents no actual controversy or where
       the issues involved in the trial court no longer exist because intervening events have rendered it
       impossible for the reviewing court to grant effectual relief to the complaining party.” In re J.T.,
       221 Ill. 2d 338, 349-50 (2006). The present appeal is technically moot because the 90-day
       period for the administration of the psychotropic medications authorized by the circuit court’s
       order, which was entered on July 29, 2015, has expired. See In re Donald L., 2014 IL App (2d)
130044, ¶ 17.
¶ 13        Reviewing courts generally do not decide moot questions, render advisory opinions, or
       consider issues where the result will not be affected regardless of how those issues are decided.
       In re Barbara H., 183 Ill. 2d 482, 491 (1998). A reviewing court will review a technically moot
       question, however, when the question falls within one of the three recognized exceptions to the
       mootness doctrine: (1) the public-interest exception, (2) the capable-of-repetition exception,
       and (3) the collateral-consequences exception. Donald L., 2014 IL App (2d) 130044, ¶ 19.
       Although no “general exception” to the mootness doctrine exists for mental health cases, most
       appeals will usually fall within one of the three established exceptions. In re Alfred H.H., 233
Ill. 2d 345, 355 (2009). The determination whether a case falls within a particular exception
       must be made on a case-by-case basis. Id.
¶ 14        While the respondent contends that all three of the exceptions to the mootness doctrine
       apply, we need not address his arguments regarding the public-interest and collateral-
       consequences exceptions because we agree that the capable-of-repetition exception applies.
       That exception applies when the respondent shows that (1) the challenged action is of such
       short duration that it cannot be fully litigated prior to its cessation and (2) there is a reasonable
       expectation that the same complaining party would be subjected to the same action again. Id. at
       358. Although the challenged action need not be identical under the second prong of the
       exception, the action “must have a substantial enough relation that the resolution of the issue in
       the present case would be likely to affect a future case involving [the] respondent.” Id. at 359.
       We conclude that the capable-of-repetition exception applies, here, due to the short duration of
       involuntary treatment orders and the respondent’s ongoing mental health issues and
       unwillingness to take medication. See In re Joseph M., 405 Ill. App. 3d 1167, 1175 (2010). In
       so concluding, we note that the respondent raises sufficiency-of-the-evidence claims that may
       have no bearing on future proceedings. We will, however, reach the merits of the respondent’s
       appeal because his claims also involve issues of statutory compliance that could affect the
       outcome of a future case.
¶ 15        Turning to the merits, the respondent first argues that the circuit court’s order violated both
       his due process rights and the requirements set forth in the Code because its finding that he was
       subject to involuntary administration of psychotropic medication was against the manifest
       weight of the evidence. Specifically, he asserts that the State failed to prove, by clear and
       convincing evidence, that the tests and other procedures that the court ordered were essential
       for the safe and effective administration of the medication.

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¶ 16       Because the involuntary administration of psychotropic medications to individuals alleged
       to suffer from mental illness implicates constitutionally protected liberty interests (In re C.E.,
       161 Ill. 2d 200, 213 (1994); In re Bobby F., 2012 IL App (5th) 110214, ¶ 14), the Code sets
       forth certain procedural safeguards to protect these substantial liberty interests. In re John R.,
       339 Ill. App. 3d 778, 785 (2003). Strict compliance with the procedural safeguards is required
       due to the liberty interests involved. Id. at 783-84. When a mental health patient exercises his
       or her right to refuse medication or lacks the capacity to make a reasoned decision about the
       treatment, the treatment may be administered only pursuant to section 2-107 or 2-107.1 of the
       Code. 405 ILCS 5/2-102(a-5) (West 2014). Pursuant to section 2-107.1(a-5), a person may
       petition the circuit court for an order authorizing the involuntary administration of
       psychotropic medication to a mental health patient. A petitioner seeking authorization for
       testing and other procedures must prove, by clear and convincing evidence, “that such testing
       and procedures are essential for the safe and effective administration of the treatment.” Id.
       § 2-107.1(a-5)(4)(G).
¶ 17       While this standard may be satisfied through the presentation of expert testimony, expert
       opinions alone are insufficient and must be supported with specific facts establishing the bases
       for those opinions. In re David S., 386 Ill. App. 3d 878, 883 (2008). The State is required to
       present “specific testimony about the requested testing and procedures.” In re Steven T., 2014
IL App (5th) 130328, ¶ 16 (citing David S., 386 Ill. App. 3d at 883). The testifying
       psychiatrist’s affirmation that the testing was requested to ensure the safe and effective
       administration of the medication does not satisfy the Code’s requirement of clear and
       convincing evidence. In re Larry B., 394 Ill. App. 3d 470, 478 (2009).
¶ 18       Whether there was substantial compliance with a statutory provision is a question of law,
       which we review de novo. In re Tiffany W., 2012 IL App (1st) 102492-B, ¶ 10. A reviewing
       court will not reverse an order authorizing the involuntary administration of psychotropic
       medication unless the circuit court’s order is contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence.
       John R., 339 Ill. App. 3d at 781. A ruling is against the manifest weight of the evidence only
       when an opposite conclusion is clearly apparent or when the findings appear to be
       unreasonable, arbitrary, or not based on the evidence. In re Louis S., 361 Ill. App. 3d 774, 779
       (2005).
¶ 19       Here, the State’s presentation of Dr. Vallabhaneni’s testimony at the hearing was
       insufficient to meet the clear and convincing standard set forth in the Code. Dr. Vallabhaneni
       did not testify that blood tests were essential for the respondent’s treatment. Although Dr.
       Vallabhaneni discussed the potential negative side effects associated with each medication, he
       failed to relate the potential side effects to the testing requested in the petition. In addition, Dr.
       Vallabhaneni offered no specific testimony regarding the procedure or frequency of the
       requested blood draws and tests. Instead, he merely provided an affirmative response when
       asked whether he sought the “ability to test so [the psychotropic medications] may be safely
       administered. Since [the respondent is] not on the medications yet, you are going to establish a
       blood level?” As such, Dr. Vallabhaneni’s affirmation did not constitute clear and convincing
       evidence that the testing and procedures were essential for the safe and effective administration
       of the respondent’s treatment.
¶ 20       While conceding that Dr. Vallabhaneni’s testimony alone was insufficient, the State points
       out that the petition and group exhibit were also admitted into evidence at the hearing. The
       petition specifically sought authorization for periodic blood draws and tests to monitor the

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       medication, electrolyte, and enzyme levels. While the petition stated that the requested tests
       and procedures were essential for the safe and effective administration of the respondent’s
       treatment, the State failed to present any evidence in support of this conclusion. In fact, the
       State’s group exhibit, which included the written information that was provided to the
       respondent detailing each medication listed in the petition, indicated only that blood tests “may
       be needed to check for unwanted effects” of olanzapine. (Emphasis added.) The written
       information pertaining to the other medications indicated only that “lab tests” would be
       conducted at regular visits to check the effects of each of the medications. Without more than a
       mere conclusion that the requested testing and procedures were essential, the State failed to
       provide the clear and convincing evidence required by the Code to administer the requested
       tests without the respondent’s consent. See Steven T., 2014 IL App (5th) 130328, ¶ 17. Thus,
       the circuit court’s finding that the periodic blood draws and tests were essential for the safe and
       effective administration of treatment was against the manifest weight of the evidence.
       Although reversal of the court’s order is warranted on this basis alone, we will address the
       merits of the respondent’s second argument because it is likely that our resolution of the issue
       may affect a future case involving the respondent.
¶ 21        In his second argument, the respondent contends that the circuit court’s order failed to
       comply with the Code because its designation of specific persons authorized to administer
       treatment was not supported by the evidence presented by the State at the hearing. Section
       2-107.1(a-5)(6) of the Code sets forth certain requirements pertaining to court orders
       authorizing the involuntary administration of psychotropic medications. 405 ILCS
       5/2-107.1(a-5)(6) (West 2014). Specifically, section 2-107.1(a-5)(6) states that the order “shall
       designate the persons authorized to administer the treatment under the standards and
       procedures” set forth in subsection (a-5). Id. A court’s failure to name specific individuals who
       are authorized to administer the medication in the order warrants reversal. In re Cynthia S., 326
Ill. App. 3d 65, 69 (2001). Whether there was substantial compliance with a statutory provision
       is a question of law, which we review de novo. Steven T., 2014 IL App (5th) 130328, ¶ 13
       (citing Tiffany W., 2012 IL App (1st) 102492-B, ¶ 10). When reviewing the sufficiency-of-the-
       evidence claim, we will reverse the court’s order only if it is against the manifest weight of the
       evidence. In re Cathy M., 326 Ill. App. 3d 335, 341 (2001).
¶ 22        Here, it is undisputed that the circuit court’s order named specific persons authorized to
       administer psychotropic medications to the respondent. In particular, the order stated that the
       treatment would be administered by “N. Vallabhaneni, M.D., Psychiatrist at Chester Mental
       Health Center.” The court’s order also provided that the respondent’s alternative psychiatrists
       would be the “psychiatric staff at Chester Mental Health Center,” including the following: T.
       Casey, M.D.; R. Gupta, M.D.; P. Tiongson, M.D.; M. Reddy, M.D.; M. Galioto; and R. Maitra,
       M.D. The parties’ dispute, instead, centers on what evidence the State is required to present at
       the hearing to support the court’s order authorizing these persons to administer the
       respondent’s treatment.
¶ 23        While this court is aware of no case precedent specifically addressing this issue, we note
       that our colleagues in the Fourth District addressed a similar issue in In re A.W., 381 Ill. App.
3d 950 (2008). In considering the requirement that the circuit court’s order “specify the
       medications and the anticipated range of dosages that have been authorized” (405 ILCS
       5/2-107.1(a-5)(6) (West 2006)), the Fourth District acknowledged that the Code does not
       explicitly require the State to establish by clear and convincing evidence the proposed

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       medications and the anticipated range of dosages. A.W., 381 Ill. App. 3d at 958. The Fourth
       District noted, however, that the type of medication is a necessary component of section
       2-107.1(a-5)(4)(D) and that courts have usually required some evidence of the medications
       sought to be administered. Id. at 958-59. Thus, the Fourth District held that the circuit court’s
       order must be supported by evidence presented by the State “as to the anticipated range of
       dosages of the proposed psychotropic medication.” Id. at 959. In so holding, the Fourth District
       rejected the State’s argument that the list of anticipated dosages contained in the petition was
       sufficient where the circuit court did not take judicial notice of the anticipated dosages listed in
       the petition, the petition was not admitted into evidence for the purpose of establishing the
       anticipated dosages, and there was no testimony that the proposed psychotropic medications
       were requested in the dosages listed in the petition. Id.
¶ 24        Similarly, here, although the Code does not explicitly require the State to present clear and
       convincing evidence as to the individuals authorized to administer the treatment, we conclude
       that the State is required to present evidence as to each person who will administer the
       involuntary treatment. In so concluding, we note that the Code requires that recipients of
       mental health services “be provided with adequate and humane care and services in the least
       restrictive environment, pursuant to an individual services plan” (405 ILCS 5/2-102(a) (West
       2014)) and provides that “[a] qualified professional shall be responsible for overseeing the
       implementation of such plan” (id. § 2-102(a-5)). In addition, section 2-107.1(f) requires
       “annual trainings for physicians and registered nurses working in State-operated mental health
       facilities on the appropriate use of psychotropic medication” and the standards for using such
       medications. Id. § 2-107.1(f). Thus, in our view, the circuit court’s order must be supported by
       evidence presented by the State to “ensure that only a limited number of designated—and
       presumably well-trained—individuals will be able to administer these powerful drugs,
       pursuant to a court order, to an unwilling recipient.” In re Miller, 301 Ill. App. 3d 1060, 1072
       (1998).
¶ 25        Based on our review of the evidence, we conclude that the circuit court’s order, authorizing
       Dr. Vallabhaneni to administer treatment to the respondent, was supported by Dr.
       Vallabhaneni’s testimony. In particular, Dr. Vallabhaneni testified that he was the
       respondent’s treating physician and that he sought to administer the medications and dosages
       listed in the petition. The State, however, failed to present sufficient evidence to support the
       court’s order authorizing the alternative psychiatrists to administer treatment. As in A.W., the
       State, here, argues that the court’s order was supported by the petition, which provided a
       detailed list of the respondent’s alternative psychiatrists. While the alternative psychiatrists
       were individually named in the petition, the court neither took judicial notice of the individuals
       named in the petition nor admitted the petition into evidence for the purpose of establishing
       that those individuals would be authorized to administer the respondent’s treatment. In
       addition, Dr. Vallabhaneni offered no testimony regarding the alternative psychiatrists listed in
       the petition. Accordingly, the court should not have authorized those persons to administer the
       respondent’s treatment without supporting evidence.
¶ 26        The respondent also argues he was denied effective assistance of counsel. Because of our
       resolution of the preceding issues and our determination that the order granting the petition
       must be reversed, we need not consider the respondent’s allegations regarding his counsel’s
       representation. See Larry B., 394 Ill. App. 3d at 479.

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¶ 27                                        III. Conclusion
¶ 28      For the foregoing reasons, the order of the circuit court of Randolph County authorizing the
       involuntary administration of psychotropic medications and testing is hereby reversed.

¶ 29      Reversed.

¶ 30       JUSTICE CATES, dissenting:
¶ 31       Based upon the circumstances reflected herein, I believe this case is moot, and this appeal
       should be dismissed. Inasmuch as my colleagues disagreed and decided the merits of the
       appeal, I dissent. In my view, there was sufficient evidence to support the circuit court’s order
       authorizing the involuntary administration of psychotropic medication, as allowed by the
       Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code (405 ILCS 5/2-107.1(a-5) (West 2014)).

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