MATTER OF J.P.

SJC-12872.

486 Mass. 117 (2020)

IN THE MATTER OF J.P.

Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, Bristol.

October 28, 2020.


Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Lois M. Farmer for J.P.

Richard F. Ready ( Heidi A. Kostin also present) for Southcoast Behavioral Health.

The following submitted briefs for amici curiae:

Ruth A. Bourquin , Matthew R. Segal , Jessica J. Lewis , & Jessie J. Rossman for American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Massachusetts, Inc., & another.

Karen Owen Talley , Committee for Public Counsel Services, Kathryn Rucker , Coco Holbrook , Jennifer Honig , & Tatum A. Pritchard for Committee for Public Counsel Services & others.

Anna S. Richardson for Veterans Legal Services.

Lester D. Blumberg , Special Assistant Attorney General, for Department of Mental Health.

Present: GANTS, C.J., LENK, GAZIANO, LOWY, BUDD, CYPHER, & KAFKER, JJ.


The long-term involuntary civil commitment of persons with mental illness is only permissible if a judge finds proof beyond a reasonable doubt that discharge would create a likelihood of serious harm. See G. L. c. 123, §§ 7, 8; Superintendent of Worcester State Hosp. v. Hagberg...

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