In re P.A.C.

¶1 P.A.C. appeals from the District Court’s Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order filed July 20, 2012, committing her to the Montana State Hospital for a period not exceeding 90 days.

¶2 The issue on appeal is whether the District Court obtained a proper waiver from P.A.C. or her attorney pursuant to § 53-21-119(1), MCA, before allowing her to be voluntarily absent from her commitment hearing. We reverse.

PROCEDURAL AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND

¶3 On July 14, 2012, P.A.C. appeared at the emergency room of St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Montana, and was voluntarily admitted to the Behavioral…