People in Interest of Clinton

STERNBERG, Judge.

In this proceeding concerning the certification of an individual for mental health treatment, the dispositive issue concerns the requirement under § 27-10-107(5), C.R.S. (1982 Repl. Vol. 11) that the court appoint an attorney to represent the respondent in a certification proceeding “forthwith.” The respondent, Wendy Ann Clinton, argues that this requirement must be met for the court to have subject matter jurisdiction over the certification. Since the trial court found that there was not a forthwith appointment of counsel, she urges that it lacked jurisdiction to confirm her…