State ( 2007 )

In The Court of Appeals Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana

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No. 06-07-00054-CV ______________________________



THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR THE BEST INTEREST AND PROTECTION OF C.R.

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On Appeal from the County Court at Law Hunt County, Texas Trial Court No. M-08955

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Before Morriss, C.J., Carter and Moseley, JJ. Memorandum Opinion by Chief Justice Morriss

MEMORANDUM OPINION

After a brief hearing--the transcription of the hearing consisting of just over five pages--C.R. was temporarily committed to receive mental health services. C.R. appeals, asserting that the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support the commitment order. Because we agree with C.R.'s assertion, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and render judgment denying the application for court-ordered temporary mental health services.

A trial court may temporarily commit a person for inpatient mental health services only if the fact-finder concludes from clear and convincing evidence, first, that the proposed patient is mentally ill and, second, that, as a result of that mental illness--and by using evidence of a recent overt act or a continuing pattern of behavior ⁽¹⁾--the patient satisfies at least one of subparagraphs (A), (B), or (C) of Section 574.034(a)(2) of the Texas Health and Safety Code:

(A) [the patient] is likely to cause serious harm to himself;

(B) [the patient] is likely to cause serious harm to others; or

(C) [the patient] is:

(i) suffering severe and abnormal mental, emotional, or physical distress;

(ii) experiencing substantial mental or physical deterioration of the proposed patient's ability to function independently, which is exhibited by the proposed patient's inability, except for reasons of indigence, to provide for the proposed patient's basic needs, including food, clothing, health, or safety; and

(iii) unable to make a rational and informed decision as to whether or not to submit to treatment.

Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 574.034(a)(2) (Vernon 2003). Here, the trial court's order fails to specify which of the three subparagraphs--what we will refer to as the additional criteria--was satisfied. ⁽²⁾

The evidentiary standards for involuntary commitment are high. State ex rel. L.H., 183 S.W.3d 905 (Tex. App.--Texarkana 2006, no pet.); Harris v. State, 615 S.W.2d 330, 333 (Tex. Civ. App.--Fort Worth 1981, writ ref'd n.r.e.). The State must establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that the proposed patient is mentally ill and that he or she meets at least one of the additional criteria listed in Section 574.034(a)(2). See Mezick v. State, 920 S.W.2d 427, 430 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1996, no writ). Clear and convincing evidence is that "degree of proof which will produce in the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the truth of the allegations sought to be established." State v. Addington, 588 S.W.2d 569, 570 (Tex. 1979). Evidence is statutorily declared not to be clear and convincing unless it includes "expert testimony and, unless waived, evidence of a recent overt act or a continuing pattern of behavior that tends to confirm" at least one of the additional criteria of Section 574.034(a)(2). See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 574.034(d). The State cannot meet its burden of proof without presenting evidence of the behavior of the proposed patient which provides the factual basis for the expert opinion. See id. The recent overt act or continuing pattern of behavior shown by the State must also relate to the criteria on which the judgment is based. See T.G. v. State, 7 S.W.3d 248, 252 (Tex. App.--Dallas 1999, no pet.).

In reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence where the burden of proof is clear and convincing evidence, we consider all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding to determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could have formed a firm belief or conviction that its findings were true. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002). We must assume that the trier of fact resolved disputed facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable trier of fact could do so, and we must disregard all contrary evidence that a reasonable trier of fact could have disbelieved or found to be incredible. Id.

In reviewing factual sufficiency challenges, we review all the evidence in the record, both supporting and opposing the trial court's findings. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 27-29 (Tex. 2002). We must give due consideration to evidence the trier of fact could reasonably have found to be clear and convincing. Id. at 25. Under the clear-and-convincing standard, we determine whether the evidence is such that the trier of fact could reasonably form "a firm belief or conviction" as to the truth of the allegations sought to be established by the State. Id. We must consider whether disputed evidence is such that a reasonable trier of fact could not have reconciled that disputed evidence in favor of its finding. J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. The trial court as the trier of fact is the exclusive judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony. In re Estate of Canales, 837 S.W.2d 662, 669 (Tex. App.--San Antonio 1992, no writ).

At the temporary commitment hearing, the State presented the expert testimony of Dr. Paul Mitchell Lee. Lee testified that C.R. was diagnosed with "mild to moderate dementia with associated psychotic symptoms" and that, in Lee's opinion, C.R. would be a danger to herself or others. The page and a half of testimony provides no factual basis for the opinion and is entirely conclusory. Lee did not testify to any factual basis for his diagnosis or any overt act or continuing pattern of behavior by C.R. Further, Lee's testimony is the only evidence offered by the State. ⁽³⁾ An expert diagnosis, without more, is not sufficient to confine a patient for compulsory treatment. Mezick, 920 S.W.2d at 430; In re J.S.C., 812 S.W.2d 92, 95 (Tex. App.--San Antonio 1991, no writ). The record in this case completely lacks any evidence of a recent overt act or continuing pattern of behavior by C.R. Lee's diagnosis and opinion, without other evidence, is insufficient to prove by clear and convincing evidence that commitment is necessary. The evidence is factually and legally insufficient that, as a result of mental illness, C.R. was likely to hurt herself or others.

C.R. also argues the evidence is insufficient to prove, as a result of her mental illness, she is suffering severe and abnormal mental, emotional, or physical distress; experiencing substantial mental or physical deterioration of her ability to function independently, which is exhibited by her inability, except for reasons of indigence, to provide for her basic needs, including food, clothing, health, or safety; and unable to make a rational and informed decision as to whether or not to submit to treatment. Although Lee testified that "keeping [C.R.] in the hospital is the best way to continue her treatment," the record does not contain any evidence concerning the above criteria. The State wholly failed to prove the requirements of subparagraph (C). See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 574.034(a)(2)(C).

The evidence is legally and factually insufficient to satisfy at least one of subparagraphs (A), (B), or (C) of Section 574.034(a)(2) of the Texas Health and Safety Code. We reverse the judgment of the trial court and render judgment denying the application for court-ordered temporary mental health services.

   Josh R. Morriss, III

Chief Justice

Date Submitted: May 24, 2007

Date Decided: May 25, 2007

1. See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 574.034(d) (Vernon 2003). That element of proof is discussed later in this opinion.

2. The three potential findings are listed in the order with the instructions: "(select appropriate paragraph/paragraphs)." None of the three potential findings was selected.

3. The State did file three medical reports with the district clerk. The State only attempted to introduce one of the reports into evidence. C.R.'s counsel objected to the report, and the trial court admitted the report into evidence for jurisdictional purposes only. We note the State requested the trial court to take judicial notice that dementia is a mental disease. The trial court, though, did not explicitly take judicial notice that dementia is a mental disease at the hearing or in the order. Even if this Court was to take judicial notice that dementia is a mental disease, the evidence would still be insufficient given there is no evidence of an overt act or continuing pattern of behavior.