Amarillo Court of Appeals holds committed individual cannot challenge commitment or conditions through secondary suit

James Richards v. Marsha McLane, in Her Official Capacity as Director of the Texas Civil Commitment Office, 07-20-00306-CV, (Tex. App – Amarillo, July 6, 2021)

This is a declaratory judgment/ultra vires type case where the Amarillo Court of Appeals affirmed the granting of the Director’s plea to the jurisdiction.

Richards sued the director of the Texas Civil Commitment Office involving his commitment orders for being a sexually violent predator. The Director filed a plea to the jurisdiction, which was granted. Richards appealed.

Section 841.082 of the Texas Health and Safety Code provides that the court civilly committing someone as a sexually violent predator “retains jurisdiction of the case with respect to a proceeding conducted under . . . subchapter [E of the statute], . . . or to a civil commitment proceeding conducted under Subchapters F and G.” TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 841.082(d) (West Supp. 2020).  The Court examines the claims based on the nature of the facts asserted and not the labels placed upon them by the pleading party. When reviewing the pleadings, the court held Richards actually challenged the legitimacy of his confinement for inpatient services. Richards sought to obtain less restrictive housing and supervision through the suit, thereby countermining the committing court’s jurisdiction. Further, since the housing requirements apply upon the “release” of an individual, and Richards has yet to be released, the challenge is not yet ripe.

Panel consists of Chief Justice Quinn, and Justices Pirtle and Parker. Affirmed. Memorandum Opinion per curiam can be read here. Docket page with attorney information found here.