In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of Joan K. — Stowers, J., Dissenting

Summary

Justice Stowers dissented from the court's decision upholding Joan's 30-day involuntary commitment. The dissent concluded that the State's equivocal and speculative evidence did not establish by clear and convincing evidence that Joan was likely to cause substantial bodily harm, and that the State also failed to prove that no less restrictive alternative was available. The dissent further would have held that every appeal from an involuntary commitment order remains reviewable despite expiration of the commitment because the statutory right to appeal displaces mootness principles. No separate opinions were provided.