People v. Williams

Opinion

WUNDERLICH,.],

I. Introduction

In May 1997, after a trial, defendant John T. Williams, Jr., was committed to Atascadero State Hospital (ASH) for one year of involuntary treatment under the Mentally Disordered Prisoners Act (MDPA), Penal Code section 2960 et seq. The MDPA requires a court to commence trial at least 30 days before a defendant is scheduled for release from parole unless he or she waives time or the court finds good cause. Here, trial commenced after defendant’s scheduled release date. Although defendant did not object to the trial date, he did not waive time; nor did the…