In Re CS

208 S.W.3d 77, 2006 WL 2925010
Procedural entryThis page is a short order in In Re CS. Read the opinion of the Court — 208 S.W.3d 77
Court of Appeals of Texas·Decided November 2, 2006·No. 2-06-116-CV·Published

Opinion

208 S.W.3d 77 (2006)

In the Matter of C.S.

No. 2-06-116-CV.

Court of Appeals of Texas, Fort Worth.

October 12, 2006.
Rehearing Overruled November 2, 2006.

*78 Joe B. Steimel, Wichita Falls, for appellant.

Barry L. Macha, District Attorney, Bryce Perry, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Wichita County, TX, Wichita Falls, for appellee.

PANEL A: LIVINGSTON, HOLMAN, and WALKER, JJ.

OPINION

DIXON W. HOLMAN, Justice.

Appellant C.S. appeals an order authorizing the administration of psychoactive medication. In her first issue, she contends that the evidence was factually insufficient to prove that she was under a court order to receive inpatient mental health services. In her second issue, she argues that the evidence was legally and factually insufficient to show either that she lacked the capacity to make a decision regarding the administration of medication or that administration of the medication was in her best interest. We sustain Appellant's first issue and reverse and remand.

BACKGROUND

Appellant has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type.[1] On March 9, 2006, Dr. Waseem Ahmed[2] filed an application for an order to authorize administration of psychoactive medication to Appellant under Texas Health and Safety *79 Code section 574.104[3] because Appellant was not complying with her treatment. The hearing on this order was held on March 20, 2006, at the Wichita Falls campus of the North Texas State Hospital System, where Appellant has been receiving services since November 2000.

Before beginning the hearing, the trial court stated that it would "take judicial notice of the contents of this file as of today's date and time." The file included Dr. Ahmed's application for the order to authorize psychoactive medications but no order for temporary or extended inpatient mental health services.[4] Dr. Ahmed and Appellant were the only two witnesses to testify at the hearing.

Dr. Ahmed testified that Appellant was delusional,[5] lacked the capacity to make a decision regarding the administration of her prescribed medication,[6] and refused several times to take medication voluntarily. He has prescribed mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics for her treatment. He testified that once medicated, Appellant may benefit from a better quality of life, including fewer mental illness symptoms and hospitalizations.[7]

At trial, Appellant stated that she did not want to take any more of these medications because they make her sluggish, are hard on her heart, make her very sick, and prevent her from sleeping. She denied making the delusional statements.

At the close of evidence, the court determined that the benefits of administering the medications were greater than the risks. The court granted the requested authorization, stating "that all terms and *80 provisions of the Texas Health & Safety Code have been complied with and after considering all of the evidence and testimony presented, the Court finds that the facts alleged in the application are true and correct and supported by clear and convincing evidence."

FACTUAL SUFFICIENCY UNDER SECTION 574.106(a)(1)

In her first issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred by authorizing the administration of psychoactive medications to her because the State failed to prove that she was under a court order to receive inpatient mental health services, thereby failing to satisfy section 574.106(a) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.[8] She does not dispute that she was a patient at the North Texas State Hospital and that Dr. Ahmed was her treating physician. The State counters that it was not required to present evidence to show that Appellant was under such a court order and that the evidence presented at trial and in the judicially noticed documents was factually sufficient to prove that she was already under such an order.

Section 574.102 states that this particular subchapter pertains to the application of medication to a patient "subject to an order for inpatient mental health services under this chapter or other law." TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 574.102. Section 574.106(a)(1) reiterates that a court may issue an order authorizing the administration of psychoactive medication to a patient who "is under a court order to receive inpatient mental health services." Id. § 574.106(a)(1). Therefore, the presence or absence of sufficient factual evidence of an inpatient mental health services court order is a critical first step in determining whether a court may properly issue an order authorizing the administration of psychoactive medication. See, e.g., In re F.M., 183 S.W.3d 489, 500 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, no pet.) (stating that a trial court may issue an order authorizing the administration of psychoactive medication only if the proposed patient is under a valid order for temporary or involuntary mental health services).

An assertion that the evidence is factually insufficient to support a fact finding means that the evidence supporting the finding is so weak or the evidence to the contrary is so overwhelming that the answer should be set aside and a new trial ordered. Garza v. Alviar, 395 S.W.2d 821, 823 (Tex.1965). We are required to consider all of the evidence in the case in making this determination, not just the evidence that supports the finding. Mar. Overseas Corp. v. Ellis, 971 S.W.2d 402, 406-07 (Tex), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 1017, 119 S.Ct. 541, 142 L.Ed.2d 450 (1998).

In factual insufficiency cases, our opinion must detail the evidence relevant to *81 the issue in consideration and clearly state why the finding is factually insufficient or is so against the great weight and preponderance as to be manifestly unjust, why it shocks the conscience, or why it clearly demonstrates bias. Pool v. Ford Motor Co., 715 S.W.2d 629, 635 (Tex.1986) (op. on reh'g). Further, our opinion must state in what regard the contrary evidence greatly outweighs the evidence in support of the finding. Id.; see also Lofton v. Tex. Brine Corp., 720 S.W.2d 804, 805 (Tex.1986). If the court of appeals sustains an issue because the evidence is factually insufficient, it must reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand for new trial. Glover v. Tex. Gen. Indem. Co., 619 S.W.2d 400, 401-02 (Tex.1981) (opinion refusing writ n.r.e.). This court has no jurisdiction to render judgment based upon an insufficient evidence issue or point. B.J. Valve & Fitting Co. v. Elliott Valve Repair Co., 679 S.W.2d 1, 1 (Tex.1984).

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