Conservatorship of the Person and Estate of D.P., PUBLIC GUARDIAN OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, Petitioner and Respondent, v. D.P., Objector and Appellant.
B291525 (Los Angeles County Super. Ct. No. ZE041308)
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT DIVISION FIVE
Filed 10/31/19
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION*
APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of the County of Los Angeles, Robert Harrison, Judge. Affirmed.
Christopher Lionel Haberman, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Objector and Appellant.
No appearance
I. INTRODUCTION
The Public Guardian of the County of Los Angeles (County) filed a petition under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS Act) (
On appeal from the reappointment order, D.P. contends, among other things, that the trial court committed prejudicial error by failing to instruct the jury on an element necessary to the gravely disabled finding. In the published portion of this opinion, we hold that the trial court properly instructed the jury using the applicable statutory definition of gravely disabled. In the unpublished portion this opinion, we address and reject D.P.s other contentions on appeal. We therefore affirm the trial court’s reappointment order.
A. Petition for Reappointment of Conservator
On February 26, 2018, the trial court notified D.P. and the County that the one-year LPS conservatorship established for D.P. under
B. Jury Trial
Jury trial commenced on July 6, 2018, with Dr. Loreta Mulokas testifying for the County and D.P. testifying on his own behalf.
1. Dr. Mulokas’s Testimony
Dr. Mulokas, a board certified geriatric psychiatrist, had evaluated patients with mental disorders for 32 years. She had testified as an expert in court over 100 times.
D.P. was first admitted to Dr. Mulokas’s psychiatric unit at the West Los Angeles Veterans Hospital in May 2017. He was transferred from a medical floor to the geriatric psych[] ward due to behavioral issues.
During the past year, as the regular psychiatrist in the unit, Dr. Mulokas saw D.P. on a daily basis during her morning rounds. She also conducted more in-depth evaluations of him every two or three months.
In preparation for her trial testimony, Dr. Mulokas reviewed D.P.s current psychiatric medical records and consulted with the hospital treatment team involved in his care. Based on her interviews with D.P., her review of his records, and her consultations with his treatment team, Dr. Mulokas opined that he suffered from a mental illness—schizoaffective disorder bipolar type. He initially presented with symptoms of paranoia and hallucinations, but had improved with treatment that included psychiatric medication.
Dr. Mulokas confirmed that D.P.s schizoaffective diagnosis was consistent with a mental disorder defined in the DSM-5.2 According to Dr. Mulokas, [s]chizoaffective disorder diagnostic criteria include psychotic symptoms, which are persistent after mood symptoms are . . . resolved . . . . In the past, D.P. exhibited agitated depression with psychotic symptoms, as well as [paranoia] which led him to hostility, distrust in [his] treatment team[] and in roommates, [and] cause[d] him to become aggressive [and] throw[] things at staff . . . like feces[] and his diapers . . . .
D.P.s behavior had improved recently, but he still engaged in socially inappropriate behavior . . . . In one recent incident, D.P. exposed himself inappropriately in the day room . . . [by
taking] off his wetted diaper . . . and [throwing] it on the floor in front of other patients.
D.P.s currently prescribed psychiatric medications to treat his schizoaffective disorder included: a mood stabilizer, depakote; an antidepressive medication, duloxetine; and another antidepressant, trazodone. At the time of trial, D.P. was compliant in taking his medications and did not require prompting to ensure compliance. Although D.P. believed that he did not need medication and did not believe he had a mental illness, he accepted the treatment imposed on him. But, according to Dr. Mulokas, D.P. would still stay in bed all day unless prompted to get up and move to the day room.
Dr. Mulokas explained that D.P. did not have insight into his mental disorder, i.e., he did not, or could not, acknowledge or understand that he suffered from a mental disorder for which he needed treatment. In Dr. Mulokas’s opinion, D.P. could not treat his mental illness on his own without assistance and could not provide for his own basic food, clothing, and shelter [needs] without taking [his] medication. Dr. Mulokas believed D.P. needed to be treated in [a] secured psychiatric setting with medical privileges . . . because he ha[d] certain medical conditions which [needed] to be closely supervised and treated.3 To her knowledge, D.P. had not ever successfully lived independently in the community without supervision. When she discussed with him where he would live if released, he replied, If I go to the street, I will find out. Although D.P. had supplemental social
security income, he did not have veterans benefits and could not handle his own finances.
In Dr. Mulokas’s opinion, D.P. lacked sufficient insight to be a meaningfully [voluntary] patient and he was currently gravely disabled due to a mental disorder such that he need[ed] to remain in a conservatorship . . . .
2. D.P.’s Testimony
D.P. believed he had schizophrenia and that he was manic depressive. He admitted he had depression in the past to the point where he did not want to get out of bed. D.P. also acknowledged that he needed psychiatric treatment and was therefore willing to continue to see a psychiatrist and take his medications on an outpatient basis. He also wanted to continue treatment for his medical issues, including his metastatic prostate cancer.
According to D.P., if released from the conservatorship, he would coordinate with a social worker to find housing. Before he was hospitalized, he lived on the streets; he was not homeless, he was a street person. He received $800 per month in social security benefits and knew where to obtain food and clothing.
On cross examination, D.P. clarified that he did not believe he had a mental illness; he had a psychosis . . . . But his psychosis was temporary and could be treated with medication. If he were released from the conservatorship, he would obtain his medication from some doctor somewhere. Either a pharmacy, the [Department of Veterans Affairs] or a clinic, wherever. He believed he needed to be treated by a doctor and take medication and promised to follow up if released.
In terms of housing, D.P. explained that he would work with the [Department of Veterans Affairs], get some type of housing or a room, or whatever. He believed his $800 monthly social security benefit would be sufficient on the streets.
C. Verdict and Order Reappointing Conservator
Following testimony and argument, the jury returned a verdict finding that D.P. was presently gravely disabled due to a mental disorder. Based on the verdict, the trial court granted the County’s petition and issued an order reappointing the County as the conservator of the person and estate of D.P. for one year, ending on April 24, 2019.
On July 10, 2018, D.P. timely filed a notice of appeal.
III. DISCUSSION
A. The LPS Act: An Overview
The LPS Act governs the involuntary detention, evaluation, and treatment of persons who, as a result of mental disorder, are dangerous or gravely disabled. (
number of requirements pertaining to notice, hearing and trial rights, and other matters. Specifically, the petition for appointment of a conservator of the person and the citation for conservatorship must be served upon the proposed conservatee at least 15 days before the scheduled hearing date, and the proposed conservatee must be given notice of the privileges and rights subject to deprivation as part of the conservatorship. (
The party seeking imposition of the conservatorship must prove the proposed conservatee’s grave disability beyond a reasonable doubt, and a jury verdict finding such disability must be unanimous. (Conservatorship of Roulet (1979) 23 Cal.3d 219, 235.) An LPS conservatorship automatically terminates after one year, and reappointment of the conservator must be sought by petition. (
1. Background
As noted above, the original one-year LPS conservatorship order was due to terminate on April 24, 2018, and the initial hearing on the County’s petition for reappointment of conservator was set for April 3, 2018. On that date, D.P.s counsel appeared, requested a continuance, and waived the 30-day time period in
On April 16, 2018, D.P.s counsel appeared and, before commencement of the initial hearing on the petition, demanded a jury trial.4 Counsel also requested a date for jury trial as soon as possible . . . . The trial court continued the matter to May 3, 2018, for a jury trial setting, without any objection by D.P.s counsel based on the 10-day limit in
On May 3, 2018, D.P.s counsel appeared and informed the trial court that D.P. was asking for a jury panel as soon as possible. When the court set the matter for jury trial on June 11, 2018, D.P.s counsel responded, Object to just a long continuance, but I understand. The court replied that [a]ll objections as to time are reserved. D.P.s counsel then informed the court that he had a scheduling conflict on June 13, 2018, at
which point the court set June 11 as the jury trial readiness conference and June 14 as the date for jury trial.
On June 11, 2018, the trial court informed the parties that jury trial would need to be continued for one week, from June 14 to June 21. When D.P.s counsel informed the court that he had a conflict on June 21, the court suggested June 28. In response, D.P.s counsel asked for a date of July 5, and the court agreed, scheduling a jury trial readiness conference for July 3 and trial for July 5.
On July 3, 2018, the parties appeared and, due to a scheduling conflict, agreed to commence jury trial on July 6, 2018. As noted, D.P.s jury trial commenced on July 6, 2018, 81 days following his April 16, 2018, demand for jury trial.
2. Statutory Right to Commence Jury Trial Within 10 Days
It is undisputed that D.P. exercised his statutory right to demand a jury trial and that his trial did not commence within the 10-day statutory time limit. On appeal, he contends that the trial court’s failure to commence the jury trial within the statutory time limit: (1) deprived the court of the jurisdiction to conduct the subsequent jury trial; and (2) violated his federal and state due process rights.
3. Jurisdiction to Conduct Jury Trial
In support of his jurisdictional contention, D.P. cites Conservatorship of Kevin M. (1996) 49 Cal.App.4th 79 (Kevin M.)
and argues that the 10-day time limit for commencing a jury trial in
D.P. also acknowledges the holding in Conservatorship of James M. (1994) 30 Cal.App.4th 293 (James M.) that the failure to comply with the 10-day time limit did not deprive the trial court of jurisdiction to hold a jury trial. But he nevertheless maintains that the holding in that case is somehow inapplicable to the facts at bar. We disagree.
In James M., supra, 30 Cal.App.4th 293, the conservatee contended that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to reappoint the conservator because the prior conservatorship had expired and his trial did not commence within the 10-day period in
clearly expressed. [Citations.] . . . [¶]
We agree with the holding in James M., supra, 30 Cal.App.4th 293 that the 10-day time limit to commence court or jury trial in
4. Due Process Violation
D.P. next contends that even if the trial court had jurisdiction to conduct the jury trial in this case, the 71-day delay in bringing the case to trial following the expiration of the 10-day statutory time limit violated his due process rights and the conservatorship therefore must be reversed.
It is well established that involuntary commitment to a mental institution is subject to the due process protections of the Fourteenth Amendment. [C]ivil commitment for any purpose constitutes a significant deprivation of liberty that requires due
process protection. [Citations.] (Addington v. Texas (1979) 441 U.S. 418, 425.) Specifically, LPS Act commitment proceedings are subject to the due process clause because significant liberty interests are at stake. (John L., supra, 48 Cal.4th at p. 150.) But an LPS Act proceeding is civil. (Conservatorship of George H. (2008) 169 Cal.App.4th 157, 162 . . . .) [T]he stated purposes of the LPS Act foreclose any argument that an LPS commitment is equivalent to criminal punishment in its design or purpose. (John L., supra, 48 Cal.4th at p. 151.) Thus, not all safeguards required in criminal proceedings are required in LPS Act proceedings. ([Ibid.] . . . .) (Conservatorship of P.D. (2018) 21 Cal.App.5th 1163, 1167.)
Once it is determined that due process applies, the question remains what process is due. Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U.S. 471, 481 (1972). Though the required procedures may vary according to the interests at stake in a particular context, Boddie v. Connecticut, 401 U.S. 371, 378 (1971), the fundamental requirement of due process is the opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner. [Citations.] (Brock v. Roadway Express, Inc. (1987) 481 U.S. 252, 261.)
In conservatorship cases, we balance three factors to determine whether a particular procedure or absence of a procedure violates due process: the private interests at stake, the state or public interests, and the risk that the procedure or its absence will lead to erroneous decisions. (Conservatorship of Ben C. (2007) 40 Cal.4th 529, 538–539 [relying on Lassiter v. Department of Social Services (1981) 452 U.S. 18 . . . and In re Sade C. (1996) 13 Cal.4th 952 . . .].) We also consider the availability of prompt remedial measures. (Thorn v. Superior Court (1970) 1 Cal.3d 666, 673.) (John L., supra, 48 Cal.4th at p. 150.)
Although D.P. asserts that his federal and state due process rights were violated by the delay in the commencement of his jury trial, he makes no attempt to articulate how he was prejudiced by the delay. Nor does our independent review of the record demonstrate any prejudice. There is no indication that memories faded or that witnesses or evidence became unavailable during the delay. Moreover, although the trial court did not commence trial until July 6, 2018, following the jury verdict, the court set the resulting conservatorship to expire on April 24, 2019, that is, one year after the prior conservatorship was set to expire. Thus, D.P. was not subject to any additional time under his conservatorship as a result of the delay in commencing trial.
Based on these particular facts, even assuming for purposes of argument that the delay in commencing trial violated D.P.s due process rights, we conclude that any error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. (See, e.g., People v. Hurtado (2002) 28 Cal.4th 1179, 1194 [the Chapman test (Chapman v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 18) that federal constitutional error is reversible unless shown to be harmless beyond a reasonable doubt . . . is used for the review of federal constitutional error in civil commitment cases in California generally]; Conservatorship of Early (1983) 35 Cal.3d 244, 255 [finding instructional error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt].)
C. Instructional Error: Modified CACI No. 4000
D.P. contends that the trial court erred when it failed to instruct the jury with the third element of the CACI No. 4000 definition of gravely disabled, i.e., to prove a proposed conservatee is gravely disabled, it must be shown [t]hat [the conservatee] is unwilling or unable voluntarily to accept meaningful treatment. According to D.P., the omission of that element reduced the County’s burden of proof to less than beyond a reasonable doubt.
1. Background
Prior to commencement of trial, D.P.s counsel objected to the County’s modified version of CACI No. 4000, which read: The [County] claims that [D.P.] is gravely disabled due to a mental disorder and therefore should be placed in a conservatorship. In a conservatorship, a conservator is appointed to oversee, under the direction of the court, the care of persons who are gravely disabled due to a mental disorder. To succeed on this claim, the [County] must prove beyond a reasonable doubt all of the following: [¶] 1. That [D.P.] has a mental disorder; and [¶] 2. That [D.P.] is gravely disabled as a result of the mental disorder. The unmodified CACI No. 4000 included a third element in brackets that read: [3. That [name of respondent] is unwilling or unable voluntarily to accept meaningful treatment.] D.P.s counsel argued that the modified instruction improperly omitted the third element. Counsel also noted, however, that a slightly modified version of that element had been added to the County’s proposed version of CACI No. 4002. Specifically, the
last line of the County’s proposed version of CACI No. 4002 was modified to include: In determining whether [D.P.] is presently gravely disabled, you may consider whether he is able or willing voluntarily to accept meaningful treatment. After a colloquy with counsel, the trial court ruled that it would give the County’s proposed CACI Nos. 4000 and 4002 as modified.
2. Standard of Review/Legal Principles
We review claimed errors in the accuracy or completeness of the jury instructions under the de novo standard of review. (Conservatorship of P.D., supra, 21 Cal.App.5th at p. 1167.) In considering the accuracy or completeness of a jury instruction, we evaluate it in the context
D.P. cites Conservatorship of Davis (1981) 124 Cal.App.3d 313 (Davis) and Conservatorship of Walker (1987) 196 Cal.App.3d 1082 (Walker) in support of his position that the trial court erred in failing to include CACI No. 4000’s third element, which, as noted, requires an additional finding that a proposed conservatee is unwilling or unable voluntarily to accept meaningful treatment before a proposed conservatee is considered gravely disabled. The County disagrees and contends the trial court was not required to instruct the jury on the third element, citing Conservatorship of Symington (1989) 209 Cal.App.3d 1464, 1467 (Symington), in support.6
3. Davis
In Davis, supra, 124 Cal.App.3d 313, the trial court in an LPS Act conservatorship proceeding initiated by the County gave the following instruction to the jury: You are instructed that before you may consider whether [the proposed conservatee] is gravely disabled you must first find that she is, as a result of a mental disorder, unwilling or unable to accept treatment for that mental disorder on a voluntary basis. If you find that [the proposed conservatee] is capable of understanding her need for treatment for any mental disorder she may have and capable of making a meaningful commitment to a plan of treatment of that disorder she is entitled to a verdict of not gravely disabled. (Id. at p. 319.) At trial, the jury found the proposed conservatee not gravely disabled. (Id. at p. 317.) The County appealed, arguing that the trial court erred in delivering the instruction. (Id. at p. 320.) The Court of Appeal disagreed, finding no prejudicial error. (Id. at pp. 329, 331.)
In reaching that conclusion, the court attempted to harmonize the purpose of the LPS Act, which includes safeguarding individual rights, with
accepting, treatment voluntarily. (Davis, supra, 124 Cal.App.3d at p. 322.)
4. Walker
In Walker, supra, 196 Cal.App.3d 1082, the trial court, using the language of the
The court in Walker, supra, 196 Cal.App.3d 1082, held the latter instruction was erroneous because it advised the jury that a conservatorship was inappropriate only if the proposed conservatee can provide for his needs and is willing to accept treatment. (Id. at p. 1092.) In reaching this conclusion, the court interpreted the holding in Davis, supra, 124 Cal.App.3d 313
as follows: The jury should determine if the person voluntarily accepts meaningful treatment, in which case no conservatorship is necessary. If the jury finds the person will not accept treatment, then it must determine if the person can meet his basic needs on his own or with help, in which case a conservatorship is not justified. (Walker, supra, 196 Cal.App.3d at pp. 1092–1093.)
5. Symington
In Symington, supra, 209 Cal.App.3d 1464, the trial court found the proposed conservatee to be gravely disabled and further concluded that it was not necessary to determine additionally whether the conservatee was unwilling or unable to accept treatment on her own . . . . (Id. at p. 1466.) On appeal, the conservatee argued, Grave disability, by definition, includes an unwillingness and/or inability on the part of the proposed conservatee to voluntarily accept treatment for the mental disorder making the conservatee unable to provide for the necessities of life. (Id. at p. 1467.) The court disagreed. (Ibid.)
In rejecting the additional requirement for a gravely disabled determination, the court in Symington, supra, 209 Cal.App.3d 1464, noted that
conservatee was unable or unwilling to accept treatment appeared only in
distinguished the facts and the jury instructions at issue in Davis, supra, 124 Cal.App.3d 313, noting that the issue resolved in [Davis] did not call for an analysis of the propriety of the instruction. And none was offered. (Symington, supra, 209 Cal.App.3d at p. 1469.)
6. Symington is persuasive
We agree with the reasoning of Symington, supra, 209 Cal.App.3d 1464. (See also Conservatorship of K.P., supra, 39 Cal.App.5th at pp. 267–268.) In reaching this conclusion, we begin our analysis with the well-established principle that “[i]nstructions in the language of an applicable statute are properly given.” (Metcalf v. County of San Joaquin (2008) 42 Cal.4th 1121, 1131, quoting Conservatorship of Gregory (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 514, 520; 7 Witkin Cal. Procedure (5th ed. 2008) Trial, § 268, p. 321.)
Here, the applicable statute is
Our conclusion concerning the instruction on the definition of gravely disabled is further informed by
states that a person is not gravely disabled if that person can survive safely without involuntary detention with the help of responsible family, friends, or others who are both willing and able to help provide for the person’s basic personal needs for food, clothing, or shelter. (
Moreover,
As D.P. notes,
subject to a reappointment petition pursuant to
The trial court therefore did not err in instructing the jury with modified CACI No. 4000 because D.P.s unwillingness or inability to accept voluntarily meaningful treatment was not a required element under
D. Sufficiency of Evidence: Grave Disability
D.P. contends that the evidence was insufficient to support the jury’s finding that he was gravely disabled as a result of a mental disorder. According to D.P., the trial court should have granted his motion for a directed verdict because Dr. Mulokas’s testimony did not support a finding that he was unable to provide for his basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. D.P. maintains that the expert’s testimony instead showed at best only that, if released, D.P. would not continue to take his psychiatric medications and would fail to follow up on needed medical treatment.
1. Standard of Review
In reviewing D.P.s claim, we apply the substantial evidence standard to determine whether the record supports a finding of grave disability. The testimony of one witness may be sufficient to support such a finding. (Conservatorship of Johnson (1991) 235 Cal.App.3d 693, 697.) We review the record as a whole in the light most favorable to the trial court judgment to determine whether it discloses substantial evidence. Substantial evidence, which is evidence that is reasonable, credible, and of solid value, also includes circumstantial evidence. (Conservatorship of Walker (1989) 206 Cal.App.3d 1572, 1577.) (Conservatorship of Carol K. (2010) 188 Cal.App.4th 123, 134.)
2. Analysis
The County’s reappointment petition was supported by the expert testimony of D.P.s treating psychiatrist, Dr. Mulokas, which, by itself, was sufficient to support the jury’s gravely disabled finding. It is well established that an expert opinion is substantial evidence if it is supported by facts and a reasoned explanation of how those facts inform the opinion. (San Diego Gas & Electric Co. v. Schmidt (2014) 228 Cal.App.4th 1280, 1292, citing Jennings v. Palomar Pomerado Health Systems, Inc. (2003) 114 Cal.App.4th 1108, 1117.)
Dr. Mulokas testified that, in her opinion, D.P. was gravely disabled and was unable to voluntarily accept treatment. She based her opinion on her training and experience, her months-long treatment of D.P., her interviews with his treatment team,
and his medical records. Although she premised her opinion concerning the gravely disabled finding on her stated belief that D.P. would decompensate if released—because he lacked insight into his mental disorder—that testimony supported a reasonable inference that D.P. would not continue to voluntarily take necessary medication or seek needed psychiatric and medical treatment. And, Dr. Mulokas testified that without such necessary medication and treatment, D.P. would become symptomatic once again and, as a result, be unable to provide for his basic needs on his own.
Although D.P. provided testimony that, at times, conflicted with Dr. Mulokas’s conclusions, under the governing standard of review discussed above, we must assume the jury resolved such evidentiary conflicts in favor of its grave disability finding. Similarly, in examining the trial record, we must draw all reasonable inferences from the expert’s testimony in support of the jury’s finding. Under this standard, this was not a close case. We therefore conclude substantial evidence supported the jury’s verdict that D.P. was gravely disabled as the result of a mental disorder beyond a reasonable doubt.
IV. DISPOSITION
The trial court’s order reappointing the County as the conservator of the person and estate of D.P. is affirmed. No costs are awarded on appeal.
KIM, J.
We concur:
BAKER, Acting P. J.
MOOR, J.