People v. S.G. CA4/2

BACKGROUND

Defendant suffers from schizoaffective disorder. Since March 2011, he has been

civilly committed to Atascadero State Hospital pursuant to Penal Code section 2972, as

an offender with a mental health disorder.

In August 2023, the People filed a petition pursuant to section 2970 et seq. to

extend defendant’s involuntary commitment. In February 2024, the petition was granted

after a jury found that defendant met the criteria of an offender with a mental disorder.

Defendant timely noticed this appeal, and we appointed counsel to represent him.

On appeal, defendant’s appointed appellate counsel filed an opening brief that sets

forth statements of the case and facts but does not present any issues for adjudication.

Upon receipt of the brief, we offered defendant an opportunity to file any supplemental

brief deemed necessary. He did not respond to our invitation.

DISCUSSION

This is defendant’s second appeal from an order extending his involuntary

commitment. In his first appeal, as in this one, appointed appellate counsel filed a brief

drawing this court’s attention to the applicable law on sufficiency of the evidence to

support an order extending the…