K.D., A MINOR CHILD, APPELLANT,
v.
DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE, APPELLEE
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The court held that the statute authorizing involuntary commitment for competency restoration is constitutional and that the trial court's order was supported by competent substantial evidence.
[1] A statute authorizing involuntary commitment of a juvenile to restore competency to stand trial is constitutional and does not violate equal protection or due process saf…
[2] Juvenile competency proceedings and involuntary commitment for juveniles are treated similarly to adult criminal defendants under corresponding rules of criminal procedur…
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceA juvenile was committed for residential treatment to restore competency to stand trial on a delinquency petition. The juvenile challenged the constit…
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WARNER, Judge.
The juvenile appellant was committed to the Department of Children and Family Services for residential treatment to restore her competency to stand trial on the delinquency petition filed against her. She contends that the statute authorizing her involuntary commitment is unconstitutional and, alternatively, that the trial court’s order is not supported by clear and convincing evidence. We hold that the statute is constitutional and also that the trial court’s order is supported by competent substantial evidence.
Delinquency proceedings were brought against the juvenile appellant for possession and exhibition of a firearm on school property, for which she was also hospitalized under the Baker Act for a period of time. After her release, the trial court held a hearing to determine her competence to stand trial. Based upon the expert evidence provided, the court determined her incompetent and scheduled a hearing to determine whether she should be involuntarily hospitalized. After hearing further evidence, the trial court determined that outpatient treatment was not appropriate for the child and that the child met the criteria of section 39.0517(2), Florida Statutes (Supp.1996), for commitment to the Department of Children and Families Services and placement in a residential treatment program to restore her competency. She appeals from that order. Initially, she claims that the statute is facially unconstitutional as a denial of equal protection because it does not require a psychiatrist to recommend commitment, as provided under section 394.467(2), Florida Statutes (Supp.1996), for adults for whom involuntary commitment is sought.
However, we think it is more appropriate to consider the corresponding rules of criminal procedure which deal with incompetent defendants. See Fla. R.Crim. P. 3.210-.212. When a motion to determine competency is made under those rules, the court appoints “experts” to examine the defendant. Nothing in those rules requires the appointment of a psychiatrist or the court’s receipt of a psychiatrist’s report in order to commit a defendant found to be incompetent to proceed. See Fla. R.Crim. P. 3.212. Both section 39.0517 and rules 3.210-.212 require that the court receive the reports and recommendations of “experts.” Thus, the juvenile offender and the criminal defendant are treated similarly for purposes of determination of incompetency and determination of involuntary commitment. The juvenile appellant also claims that the statute violates due process safeguards.
However, we find that it satisfies the test set forth in In re Beverly, 342 So. 2d 481 (Fla.1977).
Therefore, we reject the juvenile appellant’s constitutional challenge to the statute.
The juvenile appellant argues that the trial court’s order is not supported by clear and convincing evidence. The order states:
The Court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child is not appropriate for outpatient treatment and meets the criteria pursuant to 39.0517(2) of the Florida Statutes. She has demonstrated a history of extreme antisocial behavior, is a danger to herself and others as demonstrated by recent behavior and has failed to take medication as prescribed. Further the child has been in other outpatient and community based programs and has refused to cooperate and follow through with the recommendations of such programs. The Court is convinced that her mother ... is not an appropriate custodian diming the time that the minor child requires treatment to regain competency. It is clear to the court that residential treatment will provide the Court with the opti mum assurance that the child will participate in the needed therapy and that her medication will be taken as prescribed.
The supreme court held in In re Adoption of Baby E.A.W., 658 So. 2d 961 (Fla.1995), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 116 S.Ct. 719, 133 L.Ed.2d 672 (1996), that the appellate task on reviewing a trial court’s finding based on clear and convincing evidence is not to reweigh the testimony and evidence or to substitute the court’s judgment for that of the trier of fact. “Instead we will uphold the trial court’s finding, ‘[i]f, upon the pleadings and evidence before the trial court, there is any theory or principle of law which would support the trial court’s judgment.... ’ ” Id. at 967 (citation omitted). In the instant case there is evidence in the record to support the trial court’s determination. We therefore are not free to overturn the decision of the trier of fact.
Affirmed.
GLICKSTEIN and STEVENSON, JJ., concur.
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M.H. v. State, 901 So. 2d 197 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005)…ommitment to a mental health facility has a liberty interest at stake.”); Mosher v. State, 876 So. 2d 1230 (Fla. 1st DCA 2004) (treating adult involuntary commitment challenge as a petition for writ of certiorari); K.D. v. Dep’t of Juvenile Justice, 694 So. 2d 817 (Fla. 4th DCA 1997) (reviewing juvenile involuntary commitment challenge). We grant the petition for writ of certiorari. M.H. was arrested for battery on a school employee. A petition for delinquency was filed against M.H. alleging battery on a sch…
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In re Commitment OF Michael Reilly. Michael K. Reilly v. State, 970 So. 2d 453 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007)…is the proper vehicle for seeking this court’s review of orders committing an individual involuntarily. M.H. v. State, 901 So. 2d 197, 198 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005); Mosher v. State, 876 So. 2d 1230 (Fla. 1st DCA 2004); K.D. v. Dep’t of Juvenile Justice, 694 So. 2d 817 (Fla. 4th DCA 1997). “[T]o obtain a writ of certiorari, there must exist ‘(1) a departure from - the essential requirements of the law, (2) resulting in material injury for the remainder of the case (3) that cannot be corrected on postjudgment appea…
Authorities Cited
- In re the Adoption OF Baby E.A.W. G.W.B. v. J.S.W., 658 So. 2d 961 (Fla. 1995)
- In re Preer Beverly, 342 So. 2d 481 (Fla. 1977)