Conservatorship of Roulet

Opinion

BIRD, C. J.

In this case, the court must decide if proof beyond a reasonable doubt and a unanimous jury verdict are the proper standards to apply before a conservator can be appointed under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act’s (LPS Act) grave disability provisions,1 with the power to involuntarily commit a conservatee to a state mental institution for up to a year.

*222I

In December 1974, respondent, the Public Guardian of the County of Santa Barbara, was named conservator of the person and estate of appellant, Mabel Roulet. Respondent was given the power to confine appellant in a mental…