Wetherhorn v. Alaska Psychiatric Institute

OPINION

FABE, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

Roslyn Wetherhorn appeals two superior court orders: one approving her involuntary commitment for thirty days and the other approving the non-consensual administration of psychotropic medication. Wetherhorn challenges the constitutionality of the statute relied on by the court to order her involuntary commitment. She also raises due process and evidentiary challenges to both orders. We conclude that the commitment statute is constitutional if construed to require a level of incapacity so substantial that the respondent cannot survive safely in freedom. But…