In Re Watson

Petitioner was committed to the State Department of Health under Welfare and Institutions Code section 6500.1, as a mentally retarded person, on January 25, 1978. Petitioner filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the San Bernardino County Superior Court. It was denied. She then filed a petition for habeas corpus in this court, which was denied on September 5, 1978. Thereafter, she petitioned the California Supreme Court, and on October 25, 1978, the Supreme Court ordered respondent to show cause before this court why the relief prayed for should not be granted.

The findings of fact on denial of the writ in the superior court were based upon the following stipulation by the attorneys for the parties: (1) Petitioner was committed to Patton State Hospital as a developmentally disabled person on January' 25, 1978, by the Superior Court, Los Angeles County; (2) petitioner was not present at the commitment hearing, but was outside the hearing room with a representative from the regional center; (3) petitioner’s counsel had discussed the proceedings with petitioner, petitioner knew counsel would submit the matter on the papers and reports available, and petitioner was…