In re: JK.

FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Electronically Filed
Intermediate Court of Appeals
CAAP-XX-XXXXXXX
10-JUN-2021
08:10 AM
Dkt. 61 OP
IN THE INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS
OF THE STATE OF HAWAI#I
---o0o---
IN THE MATTER OF JK
NO. CAAP-XX-XXXXXXX
APPEAL FROM THE FAMILY COURT OF THE THIRD CIRCUIT
(CASE NO. FC-M NO. 17-1-041K)
JUNE 10, 2021
GINOZA, CHIEF JUDGE, HIRAOKA AND NAKASONE, JJ.
OPINION OF THE COURT BY HIRAOKA, J.
"[C]ivil commitment of the mentally ill for any purpose
constitutes a significant deprivation of liberty that requires
due process protection." In re Doe, 102 Hawai#i 528, 543, 78
P.3d 341, 356 (App. 2003) (cleaned up) (quoting Addington v.
Texas, 441 U.S. 418, 425 (1979)). In this case, Respondent-
Appellant JK was involuntarily hospitalized under Hawaii Revised
Statutes (HRS) Chapter 334. He appeals from the "Order Granting
Petition for Involuntary Hospitalization" entered by the Family
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Court of the Third Circuit on December 14, 2017.1 For the
reasons explained below we hold: (1) we have jurisdiction to
decide JK's appeal under the collateral consequences exception to
the mootness doctrine; and (2) the family court erred when it
found there was clear and convincing evidence that JK was
imminently dangerous to himself or others within the meaning of
HRS §§ 334-1 and 334-60.2. Accordingly, we reverse the Order
Granting Petition for Involuntary Hospitalization.
BACKGROUND
On November 21, 2017, JK was examined by Michael
McGrath, M.D. (Dr. McGrath), in the emergency room of the Kona
Community Hospital. Dr. McGrath was the attending psychiatrist
at the Hospital's Kalani Ola Behavioral Health Unit. JK's
family had reported "bizarre and disorganized behavior, . . .
decreased sleep, pressured speech, . . . some paranoid thinking,
some grandiose thinking, some poor judgment, some potentially
dangerous behaviors that led them to bring [JK] to the emergency
department."
Dr. McGrath obtained a history from JK and developed a
working diagnosis of bipolar disorder, manic. Dr. McGrath's
Certificate of Physician/Psychologist for Involuntary
Hospitalization (Certificate) was dated November 23, 2017, and
stated that JK was imminently and substantially dangerous to
other persons (not to himself) and that "family is frightened
because of impulsive, unpredictable behavior[.]" Dr. McGrath
1
The Honorable Aley K. Auna, Jr. presided.
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certified that JK was not capable of realizing he needed
treatment or of making a rational decision about his treatment.
Dr. McGrath had JK involuntarily admitted to the Hospital.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On November 24, 2017, the State of Hawai#i Department
of Health filed a petition to involuntarily hospitalize JK under
HRS Chapter 334. HRS § 334-60.2 (Supp. 2016) provides:
§ 334-60.2 Involuntary hospitalization criteria. A
person may be committed to a psychiatric facility for
involuntary hospitalization, if the court finds:
(1) That the person is mentally ill or suffering
from substance abuse;
(2) That the person is imminently dangerous to self
or others; and
(3) That the person is in need of care or treatment,
or both, and there is no suitable alternative
available through existing facilities and
programs which would be less restrictive than
hospitalization.
The first statutory criterion must be established "beyond a
reasonable doubt[,]" while the second and third criteria must be
established by "clear and convincing evidence[.]" HRS
§ 334-60.5(j) (Supp. 2016); see In re Doe, 102 Hawai#i 528, 529,
78 P.3d 341, 342 (App. 2003).
The following definitions apply:
"Dangerous to others" means likely to do substantial
physical or emotional injury on another, as evidenced by a
recent act, attempt or threat.
. . . .
"Dangerous to self" means the person recently has:
(1) Threatened or attempted suicide or serious
bodily harm; or
(2) Behaved in such a manner as to indicate that the
person is unable, without supervision and the
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assistance of others, to satisfy the need for
nourishment, essential medical care, shelter or
self-protection, so that it is probable that
death, substantial bodily injury, or serious
physical debilitation or disease will result
unless adequate treatment is afforded.
. . . .
"Imminently dangerous to self or others" means that,
without intervention, the person will likely become
dangerous to self or dangerous to others within the next
forty-five days.
HRS § 334-1 (2010 & Supp. 2016) (emphasis added).
The State's petition was supported by Dr. McGrath's
Certificate. The petition was heard on November 30, 2017. The
family court received testimony from Dr. McGrath and JK's spouse.
The family court then ruled:
Um, the Court finds beyond a reasonable doubt that
[JK] is mentally ill. Uh, his diagnosis is bipolar disorder
manic. There -- the doctor provided and [JK's spouse]
supported a number of incidences [sic] of, uh, paranoid or
grandiose behavior, uh, with delusions, uh, that supports
that diagnosis. Uh, even while at the hospital he was
argumentative and could not adequately communicate.
Uh, the Court further finds that, um, [JK] needs
care and/or treatment and there is no suitable
alternative available which would be less restrictive
than hospitalization; uh, to wit, uh, [JK] has stated
in very certain terms that he's not gonna take any
medication and, uh, at least with regards to [JK's
spouse], uh, he would not listen to her.
What is very telling here is that [JK] prior to him
being at the hospital had no or very little sleep and, uh,
that is quite concerning to the Court. The -- and while at
the hospital and taking at least some of the medication, uh,
evidence has shown that he is sleep -- he is sleeping which
is a good thing.
Uh, but if [JK] follows through with what he stated to
others that he's gonna refuse taking medication when he gets
out, uh, the Court can surmise that he will revert back to
very little or no sleeping at all which is very concerning
to the Court.
Uh, the Court agrees with [JK], uh, there's been no
evidence presented that, uh, anything that was done with the
straight razor, uh, was harmful or dangerous to anyone. Uh,
he -- there's no indication that he used it to threaten
someone with, uh, or that he actually cut someone or himself
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with it. Uh, he was simply trying to teach his son how to
shave.
. . . .
So the Court can conclude based upon prior action, uh,
that, uh, if [JK] continues to not have any or sufficient
sleep and nourishment, he's taking Power Bars and nothing
else, uh, that if he doesn't have essential medical care,
uh, that there is a probability that death or substantial
bodily injury or serious physical debilitation will result
unless adequate treatment is afforded to him.
So the Court will find that the State has proven by
clear and convincing evidence that [JK] is imminently
dangerous to himself and others and that he needs care
and/or treatment and there is no suitable alternative
available which would be less restrictive than
hospitalization.
. . . [T]he petition is granted.
The Order Granting Petition for Involuntary Hospitalization was
entered on December 14, 2017. This appeal followed.
JURISDICTION
The State contends JK's appeal is moot because the
period of his involuntary hospitalization has expired and he is
no longer involuntarily hospitalized. "[M]ootness is an issue of
subject matter jurisdiction." Hamilton ex rel. Lethem v. Lethem,
119 Hawai#i 1, 4, 193 P.3d 839, 842 (2008). Accordingly, before
we reach the merits we must analyze whether we have jurisdiction
to decide this appeal. Pele Def. Fund v. Puna Geothermal
Venture, 77 Hawai#i 64, 67, 881 P.2d 1210, 1213 (1994) ("[E]very
court must . . . determine as a threshold matter whether it has
jurisdiction to decide the issue presented.") (citation omitted).
The mootness doctrine is said to encompass the circumstances
that destroy the justiciability of a suit previously suit-
able for determination. Put another way, the suit must
remain alive throughout the course of litigation to the
moment of final appellate disposition. Its chief purpose is
to assure that the adversary system, once set in operation,
remains properly fueled. The doctrine seems appropriate
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where events subsequent to the judgment of the trial court
have so affected the relations between the parties that the
two conditions for justiciability relevant on appeal —
adverse interest and effective remedy — have been
compromised.
Hamilton, 119 Hawai#i at 5, 193 P.3d at 843 (quoting Lathrop v.
Sakatani, 111 Hawai#i 307, 312-13, 141 P.3d 480, 485-86 (2006))
(other citation omitted).
JK contends that the "collateral consequences"
exception to the mootness doctrine applies.
To invoke successfully the collateral consequences doctrine,
the litigant must show that there is a reasonable
possibility that prejudicial collateral consequences will
occur. Accordingly, the litigant must establish these
consequences by more than mere conjecture, but need not
demonstrate that these consequences are more probable than
not. This standard provides the necessary limitations on
justiciability underlying the mootness doctrine itself.
Where there is no direct practical relief available from the
reversal of the judgment, as in this case, the collateral
consequences doctrine acts as a surrogate, calling for a
determination whether a decision in the case can afford the
litigant some practical relief in the future.
The array of collateral consequences that will preclude
dismissal on mootness grounds is diverse, and includes harm
to a defendant's reputation as a result of the judgment at
issue.
Hamilton, 119 Hawai#i at 8, 193 P.3d at 846 (quoting Putman v.
Kennedy, 900 A.2d 1256, 1261-62 (Conn. 2006)).
JK does not cite, nor have we found, any reported
Hawai#i appellate decision identifying reasonably possible
prejudicial collateral consequences of an order for involuntary
hospitalization. In In re PC, No. CAAP-XX-XXXXXXX, 2017 WL
2602003 (Haw. App. June 15, 2017) (SDO), we applied the
collateral consequences doctrine to an appeal from an involuntary
hospitalization but we did not identify what prejudicial
collateral consequences were reasonably possible. Id. at *1 n.2.
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In Hamilton, the supreme court recognized that
"reputational harm" was sufficient to trigger application of the
collateral consequence exception. 119 Hawai#i at 9-11, 193 P.3d
at 847-49. Like the temporary restraining order at issue in
Hamilton, there is a reasonable possibility that the family
court's findings — that JK was mentally ill and imminently
dangerous to himself and others — and order of involuntary
hospitalization will cause harm to JK's reputation. We hold that
the reputational harm that could reasonably result from an order
of involuntary hospitalization under HRS § 334-60.2 is sufficient
to trigger the collateral consequences exception to the mootness
doctrine. We have jurisdiction to decide the merits of JK's
appeal.
POINTS OF ERROR
JK argues that the family court: (1) "committed plain
error, and violated [JK]'s constitutional right to a hearing
before a fair and impartial tribunal by its adversarial
questioning, and improper elicitation of evidence upon which the
family court specifically based its findings"; (2) "erred in
concluding that the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that
[JK] is mentally ill"; and (3) "erred in concluding that there
was clear and convincing evidence that [JK] was imminently
dangerous to self or others."
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STANDARDS OF REVIEW
Constitutional Law
Questions of constitutional law are reviewed under the
"right/wrong" standard. State v. Lee, 149 Hawai#i 45, 49, 481
P.3d 52, 56 (2021).
Judicial Questioning of a Witness
"A trial judge's questioning of a witness is reviewed
on appeal for abuse of discretion." State v. Sprattling, 99
Hawai#i 312, 317, 55 P.3d 276, 281 (2002) (citations omitted).
In this case, JK did not object to the family court questioning
or calling witnesses; accordingly, we review for plain error.
The Hawai#i Supreme Court has stated:
[T]he plain error doctrine represents a departure from the
normal rules of waiver that govern appellate review, and, as
such, . . . an appellate court should invoke the plain error
doctrine in civil cases only when justice so requires[.] As
such, the appellate court's discretion to address plain
error is always to be exercised sparingly.
Okada Trucking Co. v. Bd. of Water Supply, 97 Hawai#i 450, 458,
40 P.3d 73, 81 (2002) (cleaned up).
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
A trial court's label of a finding of fact or a
conclusion of law is not determinative of the standard of review.
Crosby v. State Dep't of Budget & Fin., 76 Hawai#i 332, 340, 876
P.2d 1300, 1308 (1994).
Findings of fact are reviewed under the "clearly
erroneous" standard. Birano v. State, 143 Hawai#i 163, 181, 426
P.3d 387, 405 (2018). A finding of fact is clearly erroneous
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when the record lacks substantial evidence to support the finding
or when, despite some evidence to support the finding, we are
left with the definite and firm conviction in reviewing all of
the evidence that a mistake has been committed. Id."[S]ubstantial evidence" is "credible evidence which is of
sufficient quality and probative value to enable a person of
reasonable caution to support a conclusion." In re Grievance
Arbitration Between State of Hawai#i Organization of Police
Officers and County of Kaua#i, 135 Hawai#i 456, 462, 353 P.3d 998,
1004 (2015) (citations omitted).
Conclusions of law are reviewed under the "right/wrong"
standard. Estate of Klink ex rel. Klink v. State, 113 Hawai#i
332, 351, 152 P.3d 504, 523 (2007). A conclusion of law that is
supported by the trial court's findings of fact and reflects an
application of the correct rule of law will not be overturned.
Id. When a conclusion of law presents mixed questions of fact
and law, we review it under the "clearly erroneous" standard
because the court's conclusions are dependent on the facts and
circumstances of each individual case. Id.DISCUSSION
1. The family court's questioning of witnesses did
not deprive JK of due process.
JK contends the family court violated his
constitutional right to due process by questioning witnesses and
eliciting improper evidence upon which it based the Order
Granting Petition for Involuntary Hospitalization. JK did not
object to the family court's questioning of Dr. McGrath or to its
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calling or questioning of JK's spouse, or otherwise raise this
issue below. Accordingly, we review for plain error.
In civil cases, the plain error rule is only invoked when
"justice so requires." We have taken three factors into
account in deciding whether our discretionary power to
notice plain error ought to be exercised in civil cases:
(1) whether consideration of the issue not raised at trial
requires additional facts; (2) whether its resolution will
affect the integrity of the trial court's findings of fact;
and (3) whether the issue is of great public import.
WW v. DS, 149 Hawai#i 123, 130, 482 P.3d 1084, 1091 (2021)
(citations omitted).
A trial judge has discretion to question a witness.
Sprattling, 99 Hawai#i at 317, 55 P.3d at 281. This discretion
is particularly broad when questioning witnesses during a hearing
on a petition for involuntary hospitalization. "In [jury-waived
trials and hearings on evidentiary motions], it is the judge who
is the trier of fact, and, accordingly, there is no possibility
of jury bias; under the circumstances, the judge's duty to
clarify testimony and fully develop the truth in the case becomes
particularly heightened." Id. at 322-23, 55 P.3d at 286-87(quoting State v. Hutch, 75 Haw. 307, 326 n.8, 861 P.2d 11, 21
n.8 (1993)). "However, when conducting such questioning, the
trial court must not exhibit bias or advocate for either
party[,]" nor should it "conduct an unduly extended examination
of any witness." Id. (citations omitted).
In this case, the family court questioned Dr. McGrath
on his testimony — elicited by the State — about what he had been
told by JK's family members. Dr. McGrath testified that the
family:
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brought up the issue of . . . [JK] stating things about a
straight razor to his son and using a straight razor and
being able to put his finger through metal because God had
given him that power.
. . . [T]he family was scared by these things and that
was partly what led to him being brought to the emergency
department.
The family court asked Dr. McGrath:
Is there any specific incidences [sic] where he
attempted to do this to the detriment of his safety or
others?
Like for instance using a straight razor, did he
actually do it or was he just talking about it and that's
what got them afraid?
THE WITNESS: Correct. Your Honor, I have limited
information as to whether an -- or a razor was on the table
or whether it was being -- I don't know 'cause I don't have
that information.
THE COURT: Okay. And, uh, what about putting finger
through metal? Did -- was there an actual incident that
that [sic] occurred pursuant to the --
THE WITNESS: The report was --
THE COURT: -- statements of the family?
THE WITNESS: The report of the family was that he had
stated to the son that he wanted the son to -- to watch how
he could put his finger through metal because God had given
him the ability to put his finger through a metal container,
and the son was disturbed and frightened by this 'cause it
clearly was a [sic] indication of not --
THE COURT: Right.
THE WITNESS: -- reasonable thinking.
THE COURT: Well, I -- okay. So there's no actual
incident where he actually injured himself by doing that --
THE WITNESS: No. No.
THE COURT: -- or was injurious of others?
THE WITNESS: Not to my knowledge.
THE COURT: Okay. Thank you.
(Emphasis added.)
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Dr. McGrath also testified — in response to questions
by the State — that he was not aware of any alternative programs
or facilities on Hawai#i Island that were less restrictive than
Kona Community Hospital's Kalani Ola Behavioral Health Unit. The
family court then asked him:
If he were to be released where would he go? Do you
know?
THE WITNESS: Uh, from statements that have been made
by [JK] my assumption is that he would return home.
JK's spouse was present in the courtroom during the
hearing on the State's petition. The family court asked her:
So I do have a question. If [JK] is released, uh,
Doctor McGrath said that he's actually -- that he thinks
that he'll be going -- the -- the place for him to go would
be home. I wanna ask [JK's spouse]. If he were --
[JK's SPOUSE]: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: -- to be released today is he coming home?
[JK's SPOUSE]: At this time I don't think my husband
would be safe -- my -- my child and I would be safe with my
husband coming home without treatment. I'm very concerned
for his health and his safety as well.
THE COURT: Ma'am, why don't -- why don't you come up
here? Let's have you sworn in.
JK's spouse took the witness stand and was sworn. She described
her observations of JK, including the incident about the straight
razor: "he then stated that he had such a steady hand that he
could do all these things like the monks could do and that God
would use him as a vessel."
The family court then stated:
I think I understand what you're describing here. One of the
things that I have to make a decision on is whether [JK] is
imminently dangerous to himself or to others.
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Now, what you've described is a lot of bizarre
behavior, um, but -- but I'm really focusing upon that one
aspect of what I have to make a decision on.
And so if you can tell me what has he done in the
past? Maybe that would be -- what has he done in the past
that actually hurt either himself or others?
(Emphasis added.) After JK's spouse responded, the family court
gave the State and JK the opportunity to cross-examine. The
State cross-examined; JK had no questions. JK called no
witnesses after the State rested.
The family court's questioning of Dr. McGrath and JK's
spouse was limited to issues properly raised by the State's
petition under HRS § 334-60.2, and was appropriate in light of
the family court's "heightened" "duty to clarify testimony and
fully develop the truth[.]" Sprattling, 99 Hawai#i at 323, 55
P.3d at 287. The family court did not "exhibit bias or advocate
for either party[,]" nor did it "conduct an unduly extended
examination" of either witness. Id. at 322-23, 55 P.3d at 286-87(citations omitted). We decline to hold that the family court
plainly erred by questioning the witnesses; JK was not thereby
deprived of due process.
2. The family court did not err in finding that JK
was mentally ill.
JK challenges "[t]he family court's Conclusion of Law
#G in its Order Granting Petition for Involuntary Hospital-
ization[.]" The order stated:
Upon full consideration of the above exhibit and the
testimony and other evidence adduced at the hearing, the
court makes the following findings of fact:
. . . .
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G. [JK] is mentally ill, beyond a reasonable doubt,
in that [JK] suffers from a bipolar disorder
(manic phase).
A finding that the respondent is mentally ill must be established
"beyond a reasonable doubt[.]" HRS § 334-60.5(j). The finding
is supported by substantial evidence; that is, the Certificate
and opinion testimony by Dr. McGrath. There was no evidence
controverting Dr. McGrath's opinion.
JK's sole argument — made for the first time on appeal
— is that Dr. McGrath's opinion was inadmissible because he was
never qualified as an expert witness. Dr. McGrath testified that
he was the "attending psychiatrist" at the Kalani Ola Behavioral
Health Unit at Kona Community Hospital, and JK's psychiatrist.
JK did not object or move to strike Dr. McGrath's testimony that
"the working diagnosis is a bipolar disorder manic[.]" JK's
failure to object to Dr. McGrath's opinion testimony constituted
a waiver of objections to Dr. McGrath's qualifications under
Rule 702 of the Hawaii Rules of Evidence (HRE).2 See Kemp v.
State Child Support Enf't Agency, 111 Hawai#i 367, 391, 141 P.3d
1014, 1038 (2006) ("As a general rule, if a party does not raise
2
Rule 702, Hawaii Rules of Evidence, Chapter 626, Hawaii Revised
Statutes (2016) provides:
If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge
will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or
to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an
expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or
education may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or
otherwise. In determining the issue of assistance to the
trier of fact, the court may consider the trustworthiness
and validity of the scientific technique or mode of analysis
employed by the proffered expert.
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an argument at trial, that argument will be deemed to have been
waived on appeal[.]") (citations omitted).3
Moreover, JK does not challenge the family court's
finding of fact K., which stated:
K. Michael McGrath, M.D., a licensed physician and
psychiatrist, personally examined [JK], was present at
the hearing, and gave oral testimony at the hearing.
JK did not impeach Dr. McGrath on cross-examination,
nor did he offer any evidence to contradict Dr. McGrath's
diagnosis of his mental illness. The family court's finding that
JK was mentally ill beyond a reasonable doubt was not error.
3. The family court erred by concluding that JK was
imminently dangerous to himself or to others.
JK challenges the "family court's Conclusion of Law #H
in its Order Granting Petition for Involuntary Hospitaliza-
tion[.]" The order stated:
H. By clear and convincing evidence [JK] is imminently
and substantially dangerous to self or others.
Paragraph H. is a mixed finding of fact and conclusion of law;
under HRS §§ 334-60.2(2) and 334-60.5(j) a person may be
involuntarily hospitalized only if the family court finds, "by
clear and convincing evidence," that "the person is imminently
dangerous to self or others[.]"
3
JK stipulated — before entry of the Order Granting Petition for
Involuntary Hospitalization — that Dr. McGrath was qualified to express
opinions under HRE Rule 702 during the December 12, 2017 hearing on the
State's motion for an order authorizing the involuntary administration of
medication.
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"Clear and convincing evidence" is:
an intermediate standard of proof greater than a
preponderance of the evidence, but less than proof beyond a
reasonable doubt required in criminal cases. It is that
degree of proof which will produce in the mind of the trier
of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the allegations
sought to be established, and requires the existence of a
fact be highly probable.
Masaki v. Gen. Motors Corp., 71 Haw. 1, 15, 780 P.2d 566, 574
(1989) (citations omitted). Hawai#i appellate courts have not
addressed the standard of review for a finding of fact that must
be based upon "clear and convincing evidence." We adopt the
standard recently articulated by the California Supreme Court in
Conservatorship of O.B., 470 P.3d 41 (Cal. 2020).
The California law concerning "clear and convincing
evidence" is similar to that articulated in Masaki. Under
California law:
The standard of proof known as clear and convincing
evidence demands a degree of certainty greater than that
involved with the preponderance standard, but less than what
is required by the standard of proof beyond a reasonable
doubt. This intermediate standard "requires a finding of
high probability."
Conservatorship of O.B., 470 P.3d at 46 (citations omitted).
Regarding the standard of review on appeal applicable
to findings of fact that require proof by clear and convincing
evidence, the California Supreme Court held:
To summarize, we hold that an appellate court must
account for the clear and convincing standard of proof when
addressing a claim that the evidence does not support a
finding made under this standard. When reviewing a finding
that a fact has been proved by clear and convincing
evidence, the question before the appellate court is whether
the record as a whole contains substantial evidence from
which a reasonable factfinder could have found it highly
probable that the fact was true. In conducting its review,
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the court must view the record in the light most favorable
to the prevailing party below and give appropriate deference
to how the trier of fact may have evaluated the credibility
of witnesses, resolved conflicts in the evidence, and drawn
reasonable inferences from the evidence.
Id. at 55 (emphasis added). The California Supreme Court also
cautioned:
[W]e use this opportunity to emphasize that as in criminal
appeals involving a challenge to the sufficiency of the
evidence, an appellate court reviewing a finding made
pursuant to the clear and convincing standard does not
reweigh the evidence itself. In assessing how the evidence
reasonably could have been evaluated by the trier of fact,
an appellate court reviewing such a finding is to view the
record in the light most favorable to the judgment below; it
must indulge reasonable inferences that the trier of fact
might have drawn from the evidence; it must accept the
factfinder's resolution of conflicting evidence; and it may
not insert its own views regarding the credibility of
witnesses in place of the assessments conveyed by the
judgment. . . . [T]he question before a court reviewing a
finding that a fact has been proved by clear and convincing
evidence is not whether the appellate court itself regards
the evidence as clear and convincing; it is whether a
reasonable trier of fact could have regarded the evidence as
satisfying this standard of proof.
Id. at 53. It is under this standard that we review whether the
evidence before the family court, viewed in the light most
favorable to the State, could have led a reasonable fact-finder
to the conclusion that it was highly probable JK was imminently
dangerous to himself or others, under the applicable statutory
definitions.
A. Imminently Dangerous
Under HRS § 334-1, a person is "imminently dangerous to
self or others" if, "without intervention, the person will likely
become dangerous to self or dangerous to others within the next
forty-five days." Dr. McGrath testified that JK "stated to staff
that he does not intend to take medications once he leaves the
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hospital because there is nothing wrong with him." Dr. McGrath
then opined:
Because of the aforementioned lack of insight and judgment
and his own admission that he does not intend to take
medication after leaving it is my opinion that if he were to
be given the opportunity to attempt to be treated as an
outpatient the severity of these symptoms would escalate,
the dangerousness would become imminent within 45 days and
there would be some harm.
(Emphasis added.) Dr. McGrath did not specify what he meant by
"some harm." He agreed that it was his opinion JK would "be a
danger to himself . . . or others within the next 45 days if he
were to be released[.]" However, he did not specify the nature
of the "danger" JK posed, to himself or to others.
B. Dangerous to Self
Under HRS § 334-1:
"Dangerous to self" means the person recently has:
(1) Threatened or attempted suicide or serious
bodily harm; or
(2) Behaved in such a manner as to indicate that the
person is unable, without supervision and the
assistance of others, to satisfy the need for
nourishment, essential medical care, shelter or
self-protection, so that it is probable that
death, substantial bodily injury, or serious
physical debilitation or disease will result
unless adequate treatment is afforded.
In response to his testimony about JK's belief that "he
could put his finger through metal because God had given him the
ability to put his finger through a metal container," the family
court asked Dr. McGrath:
Well, I -- okay. So there's no actual incident where
he actually injured himself by doing that --
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THE WITNESS: No. No.
THE COURT: -- or was injurious of others?
THE WITNESS: Not to my knowledge.
On cross-examination, Dr. McGrath testified:
Q. Um, now, do you -- has [JK], um, had any violent
outbursts at the hospital?
A. No overtly violent outburst, no.
Q. And no attempts at self harm?
A. No.
JK's spouse explained that the incident concerning the
straight razor did not involve JK actually using a straight
razor, or trying to force their son to use one:
Q. What, uh, tell me more about the razor. I'm -- I'm
trying to visualize exactly what [JK] did with the razor as
it relates to your 13-year old son.
A. He was showing my son how to shave although he had
already taught him how to shave, and he was demanding that
my son take the double-sided old-fashioned razor and use
that because he was going to be getting a straight razor for
himself.
When my son said, "Dad, no, you don't need to do
that. It's okay. I have a safety razor," he then stated
that he had such a steady hand that he could do all these
things like the monks could do and that God would use him as
a vessel.
(Emphasis added).
JK's spouse also described JK refusing to sleep;
leaving the house "around 3, 4:00 in the morning"; and "drinking
water and eating protein bars, an occasional piece of fruit with
it and that was it[.]" She explained:
He would claim he needed to go to the gym two to three times
a day, um, and that he needed to work out and so that he was
wanting to build up muscle mass, and that's why he wanted to
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continue to have nothing but the protein bars 'cause it had
everything his body needed is what he claimed to me.
There is no evidence in the record that JK had recently
threatened or attempted suicide or serious bodily harm, as
described under HRS § 334-1. Further, as to the second part of
the definition of "dangerous to self" this court has stated:
To be considered "dangerous to self" under the Hawai#i
statutory scheme . . . it is not enough that an individual
is unable to satisfy the need for nourishment, essential
medical care, shelter or self-protection without supervision
and assistance of others. There must also be clear and
convincing evidence that the individual's inability to
satisfy [their] need for nourishment, essential medical
care, shelter or self-protection without supervision and
assistance of others will probably result in death,
substantial bodily injury, or serious physical debilitation
or disease unless adequate treatment is afforded to the
individual.
In re Doe, 102 Hawai#i at 554, 78 P.3d at 367 (second emphasis
added). Here, Dr. McGrath testified that the danger to JK would
become imminent in 45 days and there would be "some harm."
Dr. McGrath's testimony was not sufficient to allow a reasonable
factfinder to find it highly probable that JK's condition would
result in his death, substantial bodily injury, or serious
physical debilitation or disease unless adequate treatment was
afforded to him. Further, JK's spouse's testimony about JK's
irregular sleep and diet, unconventional behavior, and refusal to
take medication,4 without more, was not sufficient to allow a
reasonable fact-finder to find it highly probable that JK posed
4
We note that the family court's December 19, 2017 order denying
the State's motion to authorize involuntary administration of medication
contains a "finding that there is no evidence that [JK] actually poses a
danger of physical harm to himself or others."
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an imminent danger to himself within the meaning of HRS §§ 334-1
and 334-60.2.
C. Dangerous to Others
Under HRS § 334-1:
"Dangerous to others" means likely to do
substantial physical or emotional injury on another,
as evidenced by a recent act, attempt or threat.
When delivering its decision the family court
acknowledged:
Uh, the Court agrees with [JK], uh, there's been no
evidence presented that, uh, anything that was done with the
straight razor, uh, was harmful or dangerous to anyone. Uh,
he -- there's no indication that he used it to threaten
someone with, uh, or that he actually cut someone or himself
with it. Uh, he was simply trying to teach his son how to
shave.
The family court was charged with making an extremely
difficult decision — whether to significantly deprive JK of his
liberty — in light of JK's spouse's concern that she and their
child would not be safe if JK came home without treatment, and
that JK would be a threat to himself as well. The family court
ultimately ruled:
Now, scaring the family in and of itself is not
imminently dangerous to self or others but the conduct is
very concerning I think, and I believe that it is dangerous
to yourself or others. So get the help that you need so
that you can come out and be -- and continue to be a
productive, uh, husband and father to your children. Okay?
To its credit, the family court recognized the fear and
concern expressed by JK's spouse, for herself, for their child,
and for JK. But this is not a case like In re PC, where the
respondent was involuntarily hospitalized after he sent
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threatening text messages to his parents which included pictures
of guns, bullets, and knives; and, after his parents vacated
their home out of fear for their safety, plunged a large kitchen
knife into his parents' mattress where his father usually slept.
2017 WL 2602003, at *1. There is no evidence in the record that
JK had ever acted, attempted, or threatened to inflict
substantial physical or emotional injury upon another person,
within the meaning of HRS § 334-1. The record does not contain
substantial evidence to allow a reasonable fact-finder to find
there was a high probability that JK was dangerous to others
within the meaning of HRS § 334-1. The family court erred by
finding there was clear and convincing evidence that JK was
imminently dangerous to others.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we reverse the "Order
Granting Petition for Involuntary Hospitalization" entered by the
family court on December 14, 2017.
On the briefs:
/s/ Lisa M. Ginoza
Nolan Chock, Chief Judge
Julio C. Herrera,
Deputy Attorneys General, /s/ Keith K. Hiraoka
State of Hawai#i, Associate Judge
for Petitioner-Appellee
State of Hawai#i /s/ Karen T. Nakasone
Department of Health. Associate Judge
Saisamoa F. Grey Price,
Deputy Public Defender,
State of Hawai#i,
for Respondent-Appellant JK.
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