State Dept. State Hospitals v. L.F. CA4/2

I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

L.F. has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, paranoid type. On March 7, 2012, he

was certified as an MDO pursuant to the Mentally Disordered Offender Act (Pen. Code,

§ 2960, et seq.). Beginning on November 8, 2012, he was administered involuntary

antipsychotic medications under an order rendered pursuant to In re Qawi (2004)

Cal.4th 1 (Qawi); however, the order was set to expire on November 8, 2013.1 As a

result, on September 13, 2013, Patton filed a verified petition seeking authorization to

administer appropriate involuntary psychotropic medications to L.F. in the dosage and

frequency deemed necessary. Counsel was appointed to represent L.F., and a hearing

date was set, which was later continued to December 13, 2013.

On December 13, 2013, the trial court conducted a Qawi hearing. Both L.F. and

his treating psychiatrist, Dr. Steven Galarza, testified. According to Dr. Galarza’s

testimony, he is a staff psychiatrist at Patton and has been L.F.’s treating psychiatrist

The parties stipulated to continue the order to December 13, 2013.

2 since fall 2012. L.F. was, and remains, diagnosed with schizophrenia, paranoid…