In Re: Melanie Ager v. State Of Washington

• Court: Court of Appeals of Washington
• Decided: July 20, 2015
• Docket: 72130-5
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

In re the Detention of: No. 72130-5-1

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Cox, J. - M.A. appeals the order committing her to involuntary treatment

for a period of 14-days. M.A. does not challenge the court's determination that

her mental disorder presents a likelihood of serious harm to others. And she is

precluded from raising the sufficiency of notice in the petition of the grave

disability allegation for the first time on appeal. M.A.'s trial counsel did not

provide ineffective assistance. We affirm.

In June 2014, King County Designated Mental Health Professionals

petitioned for the initial detention of M.A. She was detained after a hearing.

Thereafter, there was a petition for 14 days of involuntary treatment. This

petition alleged that M.A. had a schizoaffective disorder that presented a

likelihood of serious harm to others and/or others' property. The petition did not

allege that M.A. was gravely disabled.

The case proceeded to the probable cause hearing. At the hearing, the

State stated that it also alleged "that [M.A.] is gravely disabled under prong (b) of No. 72130-5-1/2

the statute."1 It indicated that it would be calling M.A.'s case manager and a

doctor from Harborview as witnesses.

M.A. moved to dismiss the case for reasons not at issue in this appeal.

The next day, the court denied M.A.'s motion. The State again indicated that it

was "also proceeding under a 'harm to others' allegation, in addition to grave

disability, prong (b)."2 The prosecutor further stated that she "did correct [her]self

to [defense counsel] [that] morning."3 M.A.'s trial counsel did not object to the

State proceeding on both the "harm to others" allegation and the grave disability

allegation.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court found that the State had

proven both allegations by a preponderance of the evidence. It concluded that

M.A. presented a significant risk of harm to others and was gravely disabled. It

entered findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an order committing M.A. for 14

days of involuntary treatment.

M.A. appeals.

LIKELIHOOD OF SERIOUS HARM TO OTHERS

We first note that M.A. does not challenge the trial court's determination

that she had a mental disorder that presented a likelihood of serious risk of harm

to others, one of the alternatives that the trial court considered at the hearing.

Thus, her commitment on this basis may be affirmed. The question is whether

1 Report of Proceedings (June 10, 2014 and June 11, 2014) at 3.

2 Id at 48.

3 Id. No. 72130-5-1/3

she can now challenge for the first time on appeal her commitment on the

alternative basis that she was also gravely disabled. We address this question in

the remainder of this opinion.

NOTICE

M.A. argues for the first time on appeal that the trial court erred in

committing her for 14 days based, in part, on a finding of grave disability where

the State did not allege grave disability in its commitment petition. She asserts,

"Because the petition lacked the notice required by statute and due process, this

Court should reverse the finding of grave disability."4 The threshold question,

therefore, is whether she may raise this issue for the first time on appeal. We

hold that she cannot.

This court may refuse to review any claim of error that was not raised in

the trial court.5 And generally, a theory not presented to the trial court will not be

considered on appeal.6

Under RAP 2.5(a)(3), a claim of error may be raised for the first time on

appeal if it is a manifest error affecting a constitutional right. To raise an error for

the first time on appeal, an appellant must demonstrate (1) the error is "truly of

constitutional dimension," and (2) the error is manifest.7

4 Brief of Appellant at 5.

5 RAP 2.5(a).

6 Washburn v. Beatt Equip. Co., 120 Wn.2d 246, 290, 840 P.2d 860 (1992).

7 State v. O'Hara. 167 Wn.2d 91, 98, 217 P.3d 756 (2009). No. 72130-5-1/4

"In analyzing the asserted constitutional interest, we do not assume the

alleged error is of constitutional magnitude."8 Rather, "[w]e look to the asserted

claim and assess whether, if correct, it implicates a constitutional interest as

compared to another form of trial error."9

After determining the error is of constitutional magnitude, the appellate

court must determine whether the error was manifest.10 "'Manifest in RAP

2.5(a)(3) requires a showing of actual prejudice.'"11 "To demonstrate actual

prejudice, there must be a 'plausible showing by the [appellant] that the asserted

error had practical and identifiable consequences in the trial of the case.'"12

M.A. did not raise the sufficiency of notice of the grave disability allegation

below. Moreover, while she cites RAP 2.5, she does not discuss its applicability

in this case. Nevertheless, we do so now.

In analyzing M.A.'s claim, we "do not assume the alleged error is of

constitutional magnitude."13 Further, we conclude that M.A.'s asserted error—

that certain court rules and statutes relating to notice were not followed—is not

truly of constitutional dimension.

8 id

9ld

10 id, at 99.

11 id. (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting State v. Kirkman, 159 Wn.2d 918, 935, 155 P.3d 125 (2007)).

12 id. (alteration in original) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Kirkman, 159 Wn.2d at 935).

13 O'Hara, 167 Wn.2d at 98. No. 72130-5-1/5

"Due process requires that the State provide the respondent with sufficient

notice of the facts supporting the petition for commitment."14

Dunnerv. McLaughlin is instructive.15 In that case, the supreme court

acknowledged that there is a requirement to serve notice of all alternative

grounds on which commitment is sought.16 In the two underlying appeals in that

case, the petitions for commitment had been amended at trial. One was

amended at the close of the respondent's case in chief and the other was

amended on the first morning of trial, prior to seating the jury.17 Both added an

additional ground for commitment, and the petitioners claimed that their due

process rights were violated by commitment pursuant to amended pleadings.

In considering these arguments, the supreme court stated, "The real issue

is preparedness to meet new allegations raised by amendment."18 And it noted

that in the underlying cases, neither petitioner claimed surprise, alleged

unpreparedness to meet the new issue, requested a continuance, or was

prejudiced in maintaining his respective defense against the amended petitions.19

Thus, the court held that neither petitioner was denied due process.

14 In re Pet, of R.P., 89 Wn. App. 212, 216, 948 P.2d 856 (1997).

15 100 Wn.2d 832, 676 P.2d 444 (1984).

16 id at 849.

17 id at 835-37.

18 id at 849.

19 Id. No. 72130-5-1/6

Similarly, here, M.A. fails to show that she was unprepared to meet the

grave disability allegation.

M.A. had notice of the grave disability allegation prior to the start of the

hearing. In opening statements, M.A.'s trial counsel indicated that he would

argue that M.A. "is not gravely disabled and is not a risk of harm to others . . . ."20

And her trial counsel did not claim surprise, allege unpreparedness to meet the

new issue, or request a continuance. Rather, he defended through cross-

examination and argument. On cross-examination of the State's two witnesses,

he elicited testimony that M.A. was compliant with taking her medications and

had shown some improvement. And in closing argument, he argued that the

State had not met its burden with respect to the grave disability prong, because

M.A. was taking her medication and the State could not show that she was

incapable of making a rational decision about her need for treatment. In short,

M.A. fails to show a constitutional error.

Further, M.A. fails to show that the alleged error, even if constitutional,

was "manifest." As just discussed, M.A. had oral notice of the grave disability

allegation prior to the hearing. Additionally, her trial counsel defended through

cross-examination and argument. Nevertheless, the court committed her on both

the harm to others and grave disability grounds. In short, she fails to show actual

prejudice.

20 Report of Proceedings (June 10, 2014 and June 11, 2014) at 49. No. 72130-5-1/7

M.A. asserts that had she and her counsel received timely notice, "[she]

may have presented her case differently."21 But this is nothing more than a

speculative and conclusory assertion. There is nothing in this record that

supports the conclusion that counsel would have presented her case differently

with more advance notice of the amendment.

M.A. cites In re Dependency of A.M.M. to argue that this issue can be

raised for the first time on appeal.22 That case involved challenge to the

sufficiency of notice in a parental termination case.23 This court stated in a

footnote, without further analysis, that the issue could be raised for the first time

on appeal under RAP 2.5(a)(3).24 But that case is distinguishable.

In A.M.M., there was "no evidence in the record" that the petitioner was

ever informed of one of the parental deficiencies upon which the trial court relied

in terminating her parental rights.25 Here, in contrast, M.A. received notice of the

grave disability allegation prior to the hearing, and her trial counsel defended

against the allegation at the hearing. Accordingly, A.M.M. is not analogous.

21 Brief of Appellant at 9 (emphasis added).

22 182 Wn. App. 776, 332 P.3d 500 (2014).

23 id at 790.

24 Id at 790 n.8.

25 Id. at 792. No. 72130-5-1/8

M.A. also cites In re Detention of Cross, asserting that it "controls the

result in this case."26 In that case, the court reversed an order revoking Eloise

Cross's less restrictive placement because she was not given notice of each of

the alternative grounds on which revocation was sought.27 The court concluded

that this failure violated statutory notice requirements.28 But Cross did not

address whether the sufficiency of notice could be raised for the first time on

appeal under RAP 2.5(a)(3). Furthermore, Cross is distinguishable. As already

discussed, M.A. had notice of the grave disability allegation prior to the hearing

and was not prejudiced. In short, reliance on Cross is misplaced.

In sum, M.A. fails to establish there is any manifest error affecting a

constitutional right, as RAP 2.5(a) requires.

Because we conclude that M.A. cannot raise this issue for the first time on

appeal, we need not address the State's argument that this case is moot.

INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL

M.A. next argues that her trial counsel provided ineffective assistance "by

failing to object to commitment on the grave disability allegation despite the lack

of notice."29 We disagree.

26 Brief of Appellant at 8 (citing In re Pet, of Cross, 99 Wn.2d 373, 662 P.2d 828 (1983)).

27 Cross, 99 Wn.2d at 383-84.

28 id

29BriefofAppellantat13. No. 72130-5-1/9

The right to counsel includes the right to effective assistance of counsel.30

An ineffective assistance of counsel claim has two components.31 Ifa defendant

cannot demonstrate either component, the ineffective assistance of counsel

claim fails.32

First, the defendant must show that counsel's performance was

deficient.33 This requires showing that counsel's performance "fell below an

objective standard of reasonableness."34 Judicial scrutiny of counsel's

performance is "highly deferential."35 "[T]he defendant must overcome the

presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action 'might be

considered sound trial strategy.'"36

Second, the defendant must show that the deficient performance

prejudiced the defense.37 Prejudice is defined as "a reasonable probability that,

but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have

30 Strickland v. Washington. 466 U.S. 668, 686, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984); State v. Crawford. 159 Wn.2d 86, 97, 147 P.3d 1288 (2006).

31 Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687.

32 Id at 697; State v. Foster, 140 Wn. App. 266, 273, 166 P.3d 726 (2007).

33 Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687.

34 id at 688.

35 id at 689.

36 id (quoting Michel v. State of La.. 350 U.S. 91, 101, 76 S. Ct. 158, 100 L. Ed. 83(1955)).

37 Id. at 687. No. 72130-5-1/10

been different."38 "A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to

undermine confidence in the outcome."39

Here, even if trial counsel's performance was deficient, M.A. fails to show

prejudice. As the supreme court acknowledged in McLaughlin, petitions for

commitment can be amended in conformance with CR 15.40 Thus, M.A. cannot

show that an objection to the grave disability allegation would have been

successful.

Moreover, M.A. fails to show that the result of the proceeding would have

been different. Even if trial counsel had objected to the grave disability

allegation, the alternative ground of "harm to others," would have been sufficient

to sustain the commitment order. For these reasons, M.A. fails to establish any

M.A. argues that she was prejudiced in two ways. First, she asserts that

"had [trial] counsel objected, the State would not have been permitted to proceed

on the grave disability allegation . . . ."41 Second, she asserts that "the grave

disability 'finding' may have future consequences distinct from the consequences

flowing from the court's harm finding."42 But M.A. fails to explain how either of

these arguments establish "a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's

38 id at 694.

39 id

40 McLaughlin. 100 Wn.2d at 849.

41 Brief of Appellant at 14.

42 Id. at 14-15.

10 No. 72130-5-1/11

unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different."43

Thus, these arguments are not persuasive.

We affirm the order of commitment.

Crt^- WE CONCUR:

l&su^m^

43 Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.