State Dept. of State Hospitals v. D.B. CA5

INTRODUCTION

Appellant D.B. (appellant), an individual admitted to the State Department of State Hospitals (DSH) at Coalinga (DSH-Coalinga) under the Sexually Violent Predator Act (SVPA), appeals the trial court’s order which authorized his involuntary treatment with antipsychotic medications. On appeal, appellate counsel filed a brief that summarized the facts with citations to the record, raised no issues, and asked this court to independently review the record pursuant to Conservatorship of Ben C. (2007) 40 Cal.4th 529. Appellant did not file a supplemental brief on his own behalf. We affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On October 9, 2023, appellant was admitted to DSH-Coalinga after being adjudicated by the Fresno County Superior Court as a sexually violent predator (SVP). On August 14, 2024, the superior court granted DSH’s verified petition to involuntarily administer antipsychotic medication to appellant, finding he was an SVP who was unwilling to take medication and he lacked capacity to refuse treatment.

DSH’S PETITION TO RENEW

On May 5, 2025, DSH filed a verified petition to renew the trial court’s prior order to compel involuntary treatment of appellant with…