IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
In re Detention of NO.70369-2-1
J.G., DIVISION ONE
STATE OF WASHINGTON,
Respondent, ORDER WITHDRAWING OPINION
v. AND SUBSTITUTING AMENDED
OPINION
J.G.,
Appellant.
The panel on its own motion to correct a clerical error, withdraws the opinion filed
on August 5, 2013, and replaces it with an amended opinion. Therefore
IT IS ORDERED that the unpublished opinion of this court filed in the above-
entitled action on August 5, 2013, be withdrawn, and
IT IS ORDERED that the amended opinion be substituted in its place.
Dated this B^day of August 2013.
FOR THE PANEL:
udge f
CD
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
In re Detention of NO.70369-2-1
1.0
J.G., DIVISION ONE
O
STATE OF WASHINGTON,
en
Respondent, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
v.
FILED: August 19, 2013
J.G.,
Appellant.
Lau, J. — Under the involuntary treatment act, chapter 71.05 RCW, a person
named in a 90-day involuntary treatment petition implicitly waives a jurytrial unless he
or she demands a jury as provided by Superior Court Mental Proceedings Rule
(MPR) 3.3(b). Because our record contains no evidence that JG demanded a jury trial
under MPR 3.3(b), we hold that the trial court properly entered its 90-day involuntary
treatment order without a jury trial.
70369-2 -112
FACTS
On April 20, 2012, the State petitioned under chapter 71.05 RCW to involuntarily
detain JG, alleging that his schizoaffective disorder and history of alcohol abuse
rendered him gravely disabled. That same day, the trial court ordered an initial 72-hour
detention. On April 23, the State filed a 14-day involuntary treatment petition. Following
a probable cause hearing, the court ordered up to 14 days of involuntary treatment. On
May 3, the State petitioned for an additional 90 days of involuntary treatment.
The court heard the 90-day petition on May 8. Defense counsel appeared and
stated he met with JG twice before the hearing. Counsel indicated that JG expressed
interest in a jury trial but ultimately decided he wanted an immediate decision on the
petition. JG, who was present at the hearing, agreed that counsel's remarks were
accurate. The court proceeded to hear the petition without a jury.
A mental health professional who evaluated JG testified that among other
grounds supporting involuntary treatment, JG had poor hygiene, often urinated on the
floor, required crushed medication, and was paranoid, delusional, and strongly
influenced by internal stimuli. She also testified he had no independent living skills and
would not be able to care for himself if released. JG also testified. He stated that if
released, he would take a bus to Walla Walla and stay at a labor camp apartment.
The court found by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that JG was gravely
disabled and that less restrictive alternatives to involuntary detention were not in his
best interests. It ordered up to 90 days of involuntary treatment at Western State
Hospital. JG appeals his 90-day involuntary treatment order.
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70369-2 -I /3
ANALYSIS
JG's sole contention is that the trial court erred in ordering involuntary treatment
without an effective waiver of his right to a jury trial.1 We hold that JG waived his jury
trial right by failing to demand a jury as provided by MPR 3.3(b).
A person named in a 90-day involuntary treatment petition has a right to a jury
trial under Washington Constitution, article 1, section 21, which provides, "The right of
trial by jury shall remain inviolate . . . ." But while the right to a jury trial remains
inviolate, "the legislature may provide ... for waiving of the jury in civil cases where the
consent of the parties interested is given thereto." Wash. Const., art. 1, § 21. When it
enacted the involuntary treatment act, the legislature conferred express authority on our
Supreme Court to "adopt such rules as it shall deem necessary with respect to the court
procedures and proceedings provided for by this chapter." RCW 71.05.570. The
Supreme Court then promulgated the MPR. See In re Matter of McLaughlin. 100 Wn.2d
832, 844, 676 P.2d 444 (1984). As discussed below, MPR 3.3(b) provides that a
detained person waives a jury trial absent a jury demand.
When the State files a 90-day involuntary treatment petition, the court clerk must
set a time for a preliminary appearance on the following judicial day unless the detained
person's attorney waives the appearance. RCW 71.05.300(1). At the preliminary
appearance, the court must advise the detained person of his or her right to a jury trial.2
1JG argues, "The court erred in entering a 90-day commitment order without
appellant's knowing, intelligent and voluntary waiver of his right to a jury trial." Br. of
Appellant at 1.
2 Our record does not indicate whether JG appeared at or waived the preliminary
appearance. Regardless, he makes no argument related to that issue. Any assignment
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70369-2 -I /4
RCW 71.05.300(2). The detained person then has two judicial days to demand a jury
trial "by serving upon the prosecuting attorney a demand therefor in writing, by filing the
demand therefor with the clerk." MPR 3.3(b). If the detained person demands a jury
trial as provided by MRP 3.3(b), a jury trial must commence within ten judicial days after
the preliminary appearance. RCW 71.05.310. Otherwise, "the matter shall be heard
without a jury." MPR 3.3(b).
JG contends that a jury trial waiver is effective only if the record affirmatively
establishes that the wavier was knowing, voluntary, and intelligent. While the knowing,
voluntary, and intelligent requirement unquestionably applies to jury trial waivers in
criminal cases,3 JG cites no controlling case authority applying that requirement to civil
involuntary treatment proceedings under chapter 71.05 RCW.4 Further, he offers no
persuasive rationale to depart from the procedures discussed above, which are
consistent with the general approach to jury trial rights in civil cases.5 We adhere to the
jury demand and waiver procedures in MRP 3.3(b) and RCW 71.05.300-.310.6
of error involving the preliminary appearance is waived. RAP 10.3(a)(4); RAP 10.3(g);
Uniqard Ins. Co. v. Mut. of Enumclaw Ins. Co.. 160 Wn. App. 912, 922, 250 P.3d 121
(2011).
3See, e^, City of Bellevue v. Acrev. 103 Wn.2d 203, 207, 691 P.2d 957 (1984)
(a criminal defendant must waive his or her right to a jury trial knowingly, voluntarily, and
intelligently); State v. Hos. 154 Wn. App. 238, 249, 225 P.2d 389 (2010) (same).
4 In In re Detention of J.S.. 138 Wn. App. 882, 895, 159 P.3d 435 (2007),
Division Two of this court required a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of the
right to counsel in involuntary treatment proceedings under chapter 71.05 RCW. J^ is
inapposite because it did not address the question of jury trial waivers.
5See CR 38(b)-(d) (jury waived unless requesting party files and serves a jury
demand and pays the jury fee); CR 39(b)(1) (issues for which no jury demand is made
will generally be tried by the court); Sackett v. Santilli, 101 Wn. App. 128, 133-34, 5
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70369-2 -I lb
Our record contains no evidence that JG demanded a jury trial under
MPR 3.3(b). Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not err when it decided the
State's petition without a jury. We affirm the court's 90-day involuntary treatment order.
WE CONCUR:
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P.3d 11 (2000) (civil rules permitting implied consent to bench trial in the absence of a
jury demand comport with Washington Constitution, article 1, section 21); see also
4A Karl B. Tegland, Washington Practice: Rules Practice MPR 3.3, at 601 (7th ed.
2008) ("The statute [RCW 71.05.310] allows a jury trial on the issue of 90-day or 180-
day treatment, but does not specify a procedure for demanding a jury trial. MPR 3.3(b)
fills this gap with an adaptation of CR 38(b)."). We note that in proceedings under the
sexually violent predator act, chapter 71.09 RCW, no jury trial is held unless demanded
by the detained person, prosecuting agency, or judge. RCW 71.09.050(3); In re Pet, of
Coppin, 157 Wn. App. 537, 542, 238 P.3d 1192 (2010).
6 JG articulates no cogent argument that MPR 3.3(b) is unconstitutional.
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