Matter of Detention of Gv

The trial court commissioner dismissed petitions by the State of Washington to recommit three mentally ill individuals, G.V., A.K., and R.P. The State appealed the dismissals to the Court of Appeals. After consolidating the three cases, the Court of Appeals certified the action to this court. We accepted certification pursuant to RAP 4.2 and RCW 2.06.030 and reverse the commissioner’s decisions.

At issue is the proper interpretation of a portion of Washington’s involuntary treatment act. The act permits the State to commit an individual involuntarily to a mental facility for treatment if the…