97 Nev. 578 635 P.2d 578

PRISCILLA FORD, Petitioner, v. THE SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF NEVADA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WASHOE, THE HONORABLE JOHN W. BARRETT, a District Judge Thereof; LAKE’S CROSSING CENTER FOR THE MENTALLY DISORDERED OFFENDER; and, LOUIS RICHNAK, M.D., Medical Director, Respondents.

No. 13635

November 6, 1981

635 P.2d 578

*579William N. Dunseath, Public Defender, and Dennis E. Widdis, Deputy Public Defender, Washoe County, for Petitioner.

Richard H. Bryan, Attorney General, Carson City; Calvin R. X. Dunlap, District Attorney, and EdwardB. Horn, Deputy District Attorney, Washoe County, for Respondents.

OPINION

Per Curiam:

Petitioner is charged with 52 felony counts. On January 29, 1981, she was found to be incompetent to stand trial and was committed pursuant to NRS 178.425.1 On April 29, 1981, petitioner was ordered to submit to treatment including the administration of drugs. Subsequently, on August 4, 1981, petitioner was found competent to stand trial and, in fact, the trial of the charges against petitioner is proceeding at this time. Apparently, petitioner has refused medication and on October 9, 1981, upon motion by the state, the court ordered compliance with the April 29, 1981, order which included submission to the administration of drugs, if medically indicated. The petitioner contends that the court acted in excess of its jurisdiction in issuing its order of October 9, 1981. We agree.

We do not now determine whether NRS 178.400 et seq., which deals with inquiries into the sanity of defendants, provides authority for the use of forced medication on persons subject to its provisions. We do, however, hold that petitioner, having been determined to be competent to stand trial, is not subject to the detention and treatment provisions of NRS 178.425, and that she is not now committed, either as an *580incompetent pretrial detainee or as a mentally ill person under the Nevada Mental Health and Mental Retardation Law, NRS 433.001 et seq. Thus, the trial court acted in excess of its jurisdiction in ordering compliance with the order of April 29, 1981, which was issued while the petitioner was adjudged to have been incompetent to stand trial.

Accordingly, a writ of mandamus shall issue forthwith directing the respondent court to vacate its order of October 9, 1981, which directed compliance with the April 29, 1981, order.

Writ granted.

Ford v. Second Judicial District Court
97 Nev. 578 635 P.2d 578

Case Details

Name
Ford v. Second Judicial District Court
Decision Date
Nov 6, 1981
Citations

97 Nev. 578

635 P.2d 578

Jurisdiction
Nevada

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