Rhode Island Department of Mental Health, Retardation, & Hospitals v. Doe

OPINION

MURRAY, Justice.

This matter is before the court on the petitioner’s writ of certiorari to review an order by a justice of the District Court, which order certified the hospitalization of the respondent and directed that hospitalization be provided in a designated out-of-state, private psychiatric facility.

The petitioner, the Rhode Island Department of Mental Health, Retardation, and Hospitals (MHRH), initiated an action for the involuntary civil commitment of respondent, John Doe, pursuant to the provisions of G.L. 1956 (1984 Reenactment) chapter 5 of title 40.1, the Mental Health Law.…