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Constitutionalizing Civil Commitment: Another Attempt—In Re Harris, 98 Wn. 2d 276, 654 P.2d 109 (1982), Betty L. Drumheller

Washington Law Review

This Note first discusses recent statutory and judicial reforms of involuntary mental commitment procedures in the United States and Washington. It then analyzes the Washington Supreme Court's decision in In re Harris, focusing on the court's interpretation of the required standard for involuntary commitment and the new procedural requirements for issuance of a summons. The Note concludes that the Washington Supreme Court took a significant but incomplete step in conforming the Washington involuntary commitment procedures to the requirements of the United States Constitution.