Dickinson v. State

I respectfully, but strongly, disagree with the majority opinion. In dismissing the instant appeal as moot, the majority refuses to address an important issue: whether the right to counsel of persons sought to be involuntarily committed should be protected by the Anders procedures. Under our prior case law, the instant appeal fits squarely into both recognized exceptions to the mootness doctrine; thus, this case should be decided on its merits.

We have stated that the choice of mootness is ours to make. Owens v. Taylor, 299 Ark. 373, 772 S.W.2d 596 (1989). Where considerations of public…