Conservatorship of L.B. CA1/1

INTRODUCTION

In this conservatorship appeal, L.B. challenges the trial court’s June 2020 order denying his motion to compel immediate placement in a treatment facility. The Contra Costa Public Guardian (Public Guardian) was appointed as L.B.’s conservator in June 2019, at which time the trial court designated the most appropriate placement for him. However, despite significant efforts by the Public Guardian to facilitate L.B.’s transfer to an appropriate facility, he remained in the county jail for over a year. While this extended delay in placement is certainly not optimal, L.B.’s conservatorship was terminated in August 2020. We therefore dismiss this appeal as moot for the reasons discussed below.

BACKGROUND

L.B. was charged with an October 2015 assault with intent to commit rape (Pen. Code, § 220, subd. (b)) and was found incompetent to stand trial by two evaluators under Penal Code section 1370. He was sent to Napa State Hospital (NSH) for competency restoration from June 2016 to January 2017, after which it was determined that his symptoms had been well-controlled by treatment and he had been restored to competency. Upon his return to the jail, however, defense counsel…