Matter of Involuntary Commitment of Skelton
Docket: 2990806
Court: Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama; August 25, 2000; Alabama; State Appellate Court
Frederick T. Skelton III appealed a commitment order from the Jefferson County Probate Court, which mandated his involuntary treatment for mental illness at a state hospital. The appeal focused on whether the commitment was supported by clear and convincing evidence. However, the State's advocate noted that Skelton was released from state custody on May 26, 2000, and he did not contest this information. Typically, when an event renders an appeal unnecessary, it is dismissed unless there are collateral rights to be determined. In this case, the probate court had already taxed the costs of the commitment, including fees for the guardian ad litem and the State's advocate, to the State, not to Skelton. Consequently, no unresolved collateral rights exist, leading the court to dismiss the appeal as moot, with all judges concurring.