In Re the Detention Swanson

After being held on a 72-hour emergency detention, Lonnie Swanson was brought before a judge to determine if probable cause existed to commit him for further treatment. At that time, Swanson moved for dismissal, claiming that the statutory time limit for the hearing had expired. His motion was denied, and he was committed for up to 14 days of involuntary treatment. Swanson appealed and respondent Harborview Medical Center (Harborview) joined in requesting that this court define the time parameters of the civil commitment statute.

Although technically moot, we agreed to decide this case because…