In Interest of Nyflot
North Dakota Supreme Court
340 N.W.2d 178 (1983)
- Written by Nicole Gray , JD
Facts
Cynthia Jewel Nyflot (plaintiff) was hospitalized following a treatment hearing pursuant to state law, which provided for the civil commitment of individuals who pose a serious risk of harm to themselves or others. At Nyflot’s hearing, the evidence showed that Nyflot had set two fires in the bathroom of the dormitory where she lived, claiming that she did so to show her contempt for being enrolled in the school, not to cause any damage or harm anyone. Nyflot slid lit cigarettes under a classmate’s dorm-room door; she had cut the screen on her dorm-room window and eloped to a restricted area; and she was caught with contraband, including a cigarette lighter, on several occasions and tried concealing it. Despite Nyflot’s arguments that her fires only caused minimal property damage, and in her assessment were unlikely to cause significant harm or damage, a Cass County judge found that Nyflot presented a serious risk of harm in accordance with state law. The judge then ordered that Nyflot be hospitalized, and Nyflot appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Gierke, J.)
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