Quinn

A mentally retarded person who is a danger to himself or to others may be committed to the State Department of Developmental Services under Welfare and Institutions Code section 6500.

Here we conclude such commitment is proper without proving that mental retardation was a cause of the dangerous condition.

Defendant Willie Quinn appeals an order of commitment to Atascadero State Hospital. We conclude that the order of commitment is supported by the evidence and section 6500 does not violate equal protection of the laws. Neither was Quinn denied competent counsel. We affirm.

Facts

The District Attorney of the County of San Luis Obispo filed a petition to commit Quinn to the custody of the State Department of Developmental Services, and to confine him as a dangerous mentally retarded person under section 6500.

Quinn has a long history of criminal offenses and dangerous behavior. He attacked a nurse with a pair of scissors at the psychiatric ward of the Sacramento General Hospital. He cut his arm with a razor at San Quentin State Prison in 1998.

Quinn has a history of psychiatric treatment since age 17. His language comprehension skills are equivalent to an…