parham argued december decided june appellees children treated georgia state mental hospital instituted federal district class action georgia mental health officials appellees sought declaratory judgment georgia procedures voluntary commitment children age state mental hospitals violated due process clause fourteenth amendment requested injunction future enforcement georgia statute providing voluntary admission children state regional hospitals admission begins application hospitalization signed parent guardian upon application superintendent hospital authorized admit temporarily child observation diagnosis observation superintendent finds evidence mental illness child suitable treatment hospital child may admitted period conditions may authorized law georgia mental health statute child hospitalized five days may discharged request parent guardian hospital superintendent even without request discharge affirmative duty release child recovered mental illness sufficiently improved superintendent determines hospitalization patient longer desirable district held georgia statutory scheme unconstitutional failed protect adequately appellees due process rights process due included least right notice hearing impartial tribunal held district erred holding unconstitutional state procedures admitting child treatment state mental hospital since record case georgia medical factfinding processes consistent constitutional guarantees pp testing challenged state procedures due process claim requires balancing private interest affected official action ii risk erroneous deprivation interest procedures used probable value additional substitute procedural safeguards iii state interest including function involved fiscal administrative burdens additional substitute procedural requirement entail cf mathews eldridge smith organization foster families pp notwithstanding child liberty interest confined unnecessarily medical treatment assuming person protectible interest erroneously labeled mentally ill parents traditional interests responsibility upbringing child retain substantial dominant role decision absent finding neglect abuse however child rights nature commitment decision parents always absolute discretion institutionalize child retain plenary authority seek care children subject independent medical judgment cf pierce society sisters wisconsin yoder prince massachusetts meyer nebraska planned parenthood central missouri danforth distinguished pp state significant interests confining use costly mental health facilities cases genuine need imposing unnecessary procedural obstacles may discourage mentally ill families seeking needed psychiatric assistance allocating priority diagnosis treatment patients soon admitted hospital rather preadmission procedures pp risk error inherent parental decision child institutionalized mental health care sufficiently great kind inquiry made neutral factfinder determine whether statutory requirements admission satisfied see goldberg kelly morrissey brewer probe child background decisionmaker must authority refuse admit child satisfy medical standards admission need continuing commitment must reviewed periodically pp due process require neutral factfinder law trained judicial administrative officer necessary admitting physician conduct formal adversary hearing hearing conducted someone admitting physician medical decisionmaking process may error free nevertheless independent medical decisionmaking process includes thorough psychiatric investigation followed additional periodic review child condition identify children admitted risks error significantly reduced formal hearing pp georgia practices described record comport minimum due process requirements state statute envisions careful diagnostic medical inquiry conducted admitting physician regional hospital georgia procedures arbitrary sense single physician professional unbridled discretion commit child regional hospital georgia general administrative statutory scheme voluntary commitment children unconstitutional district remand may consider individual claims initial admissions particular children meet due process standards may also consider whether various hospitals procedures periodic review patients need institutional care sufficient justify continuing voluntary commitment pp differences situation child ward state georgia state requests admission state mental hospital situation child natural parents request admission justify requiring different procedures time child initial admission hospital pp burger delivered opinion white blackmun powell rehnquist joined stewart filed opinion concurring judgment post brennan filed opinion concurring part dissenting part marshall stevens joined post douglas lackey assistant attorney general georgia reargued cause appellants briefs original argument arthur bolton attorney general robert stubbs ii executive assistant attorney general langham first assistant attorney general michael bowers senior assistant attorney general carol atha cosgrove assistant attorney general john cromartie reargued cause appellees brief original argument gerald tarutis briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed william spann john lashly daniel skoler american bar association stephen berzon marian wright edelman paul friedman american orthopsychiatric association et al joel klein american psychiatric association et al robert walker child welfare league america stanley van ness department public advocate division mental health advocacy new jersey robert catz urban law institute solicitor general mccree assistant attorney general days brian landsberg mark gross filed brief amicus curiae chief justice burger delivered opinion question presented appeal process constitutionally due minor child whose parents guardian seek state administered institutional mental health care child specifically whether adversary proceeding required prior commitment appellee child treated georgia state mental hospital plaintiff class action based district middle district georgia appellants state commissioner department human resources director mental health division department human resources chief medical officer hospital appellee treated appellee sought declaratory judgment georgia voluntary commitment procedures children age code violated due process clause fourteenth amendment requested injunction future enforcement district convened pursuant ed considering expert lay testimony extensive exhibits visiting two state regional mental health hospitals district held georgia statutory scheme unconstitutional failed protect adequately appellees due process rights parham supp remedy violation enjoined future commitments based procedures georgia statute also commanded georgia appropriate expend whatever amount reasonably necessary provide nonhospital facilities deemed appellant state officials appropriate treatment members plaintiffs class supra treated less drastic nonhospital environment appellants challenged aspects district judgment noted probable jurisdiction heard argument term case consolidated secretary public welfare institutionalized juveniles post reargued term plaintiff district deceased admitted age years central state regional hospital milledgeville ga prior admission received outpatient treatment hospital two months mother requested hospital admit indefinitely admitting physician interviewed parents learned natural parents divorced mother remarried also learned expelled school uncontrollable accepted parents representation boy extremely aggressive diagnosed child hyperkinetic reaction childhood mother stepfather agreed participate family therapy time son hospitalized program permitted go home short stays apparently behavior visits erratic several months parents requested discontinuance program child returned mother stepfather furlough basis live home go school hospital parents found unable control satisfaction created family stress within two months requested readmission central state parents relinquished parental rights county although several hospital employees recommended placed special foster home warm supported truly involved couple department family children services unable place setting october filed suit requesting order placing less drastic environment suitable needs appellee declared neglected child county removed natural parents months old placed seven different foster homes succession prior admission central state hospital age immediately preceding hospitalization received outpatient treatment county mental health center several months began attending school disruptive incorrigible conform normal behavior patterns abnormal behavior seventh set foster parents requested removal home department family children services sought admission central state agency provided hospital complete history time admission addition three separate interviews conducted admission team hospital determined borderline retarded suffered unsocialized aggressive reaction childhood recommended unanimously benefit structured environment hospital enjoy living playing boys age progress periodically addition unsuccessful efforts made department family children services stay hospital place various foster homes october filed suit requesting order placing less drastic environment suitable needs georgia code provides voluntary admission state regional hospital children provision admission begins application hospitalization signed parent guardian upon application superintendent hospital given power admit temporarily child observation diagnosis observation superintendent finds evidence mental illness child suitable treatment hospital child may admitted period conditions may authorized law georgia mental health statute also provides discharge voluntary patients child hospitalized five days may discharged request parent guardian even without request discharge however superintendent regional hospital affirmative duty release child recovered mental illness sufficiently improved superintendent determines hospitalization patient longer desirable georgia mental health director published statewide regulations defining specific procedures superintendent must employ admitting child instead regional hospital superintendent responsible procedures facility substantial variation among institutions regard admission procedures procedures review patients admitted brief description different hospitals procedures demonstrate variety approaches taken regional hospitals throughout state southwestern hospital thomasville built children adolescent program instituted children adolescent unit hospital maximum capacity beds time suit children treated southwestern superintendent testified hospital never admitted voluntary child patient treated previously community mental health clinic mental health professional community clinic determines hospital treatment may helpful child clinic staff hospital staff jointly evaluate need hospitalization proper treatment hospitalization likely release date initial admission decision thus made hospital child admitted hospital weekly reviews condition performed internal medical professional staff also monthly reviews child group composed hospital staff involved weekly reviews community clinic staff people average stay child treated southwestern days atlanta regional hospital opened time hearing district children adolescents treated hospital children adolescent unit hospital affiliated nine community mental health centers agreement persons treated comprehensive community mental health centers every possible instance rather hospitalized admission criteria atlanta regional voluntary involuntary patients formal policy admit voluntary patient unless patient found threat others record discloses approximately referrals community centers rejected hospital admissions staff admission staff reviews condition child every week addition monthly utilization reviews nonstaff mental health professionals review considers random sample children cases average length child stay days georgia mental health institute gmhi decatur built children adolescent unit housed children time suit brought hospital formal affiliation four community mental health centers centers may refer patients hospital certify appropriate alternative resources available within client geographic area year prior trial case child admitted except referral clinic although hospital policy generally accepting hours referrals community clinic team staff members review admission team finds reason treat community deputy superintendent hospital agrees release applicant home child admitted must review admission decision within days also unspecified periodic review child need hospitalization team staff members average stay children gmhi days augusta regional hospital opened affiliated community mental health clinics children adolescent unit housed children december approximately children admitted hospital first received treatment community admitted based specific referral clinic admission criterion whether child needs hospitalization decision must approved two psychiatrists also informal practice admitting child parents refuse participate family therapy program admission decision reviewed within days team staff physicians mental health professionals thereafter child reviewed every week addition every child condition reviewed team clinic staff members every days average stay children augusta december days savannah regional hospital built housed children time suit hospital staff members also directors community mental health clinics policy hospital child seeking admission nonemergency basis must referred community clinic admission decision must made staff psychiatrist based materials provided community clinic interview applicant interview parents child within three weeks admission child review group composed hospital clinic staff members people community juvenile judges thereafter hospital staff reviews child weekly staff concludes child ready released community committee reviews child case assist placement average stay children treated savannah december days west central hospital columbus opened december organized budgetary purposes several community mental health clinics hospital beds children adolescents occupied time suit filed formal policy children seeking admission hospital must referred community clinic hospital regarded staff last resort treating child children referred turned away admissions team hospital admission staff meetings daily discuss problem cases hospital practicing child psychiatrist reviews cases week depending nature problems consultant reviews cases average stay children west central december days children unit central state regional hospital milledgeville added existing structure accommodate children hospital also house adolescents time suit hospital housed children including named plaintiffs although central state affiliated community clinics seems higher percentage nonreferral admissions hospitals admission decision made admissions evaluator admitting physician evaluator ph psychology social worker nurse admitting physician psychiatrist standard admission whether hospitalization appropriate treatment child april november children applicants screened admission referred noninstitutional settings children temporarily admitted sent children adolescent unit testing development treatment plan generally seven days admission members hospital staff review information compiled patient determine need continued hospitalization thereafter informal review patient approximately every days patients central state december average days explanation record large variation average length hospitalization institutions although focus district state mental hospitals relevant note georgia presently funds community mental health clinics specialized foster care homes state built seven new regional hospitals within past years added new children unit oldest hospital state budget fiscal year almost million mental health care georgia ranks among per capita expenditures mental health total expenditures district nonetheless rejected state entire system providing mental health care procedural substantive grounds district found children optimally cared another less restrictive setting available optimal settings included group homes therapeutic camps services governor georgia chairmen two appropriations committees legislature testifying district expressed confidence georgia program informed state justify enlarging budget fiscal year provide specialized treatment settings urged appellees addition available described factual background georgia mental health program treatment named plaintiffs turn examine legal bases district judgment ii holding unconstitutional georgia statutory procedure voluntary commitment juveniles district first determined commitment eight regional hospitals constitutes severe deprivation child liberty defined liberty interest terms freedom bodily restraint freedom emotional psychic harm caused institutionalization determined liberty interest implicated child admission mental hospital considered process required protect interest held process due includes least right notice heard impartial tribunal requiring prescribed hearing rejected georgia argument hearing required since state merely assisting parents afford private care making available treatment similar offered private hospitals private physicians acknowledged parents seek children admitted state mental hospital good faith however relied one appellees witnesses expressed opinion still look upon mental hospitals dumping ground specific evidence dumping however found record district also rejected argument review superintendents hospitals staffs sufficient protect child liberty interest held inexactness psychiatry coupled possibility sources information used make commitment decision may always reliable made superintendent decision arbitrary satisfy due process shifted focus drastically clearly procedural due process analysis appears substantive due process analysis condemned georgia officialdom failure face report outlining need additional resources spent nonhospital treatment provide resources noninstitutional mental health care concluded causal relationship intransigence state ability provide flexible due process appellees district therefore ordered state appropriate expend resources necessary provide nonhospital treatment members appellees class benefit iii earlier day problems inherent coping children afflicted mental emotional abnormalities dealt largely within family see brakel rock mentally disabled law sometimes parents aided teachers family doctor parents doubt able deal disturbed children without specialized assistance others especially limited means education increasingly turned assistance local public sources private charities recently little provide custodial institutions confinement persons considered dangerous slovenko criminal justice procedures civil commitment wayne rev hereinafter slovenko medical knowledge mentally ill public concern condition expanded aided substantially federal grants sought ameliorate human tragedies seriously disturbed children ironically expanded efforts assist mentally ill actions subjected increasing litigation heightened constitutional scrutiny courts required resolve thorny constitutional attacks state programs procedures limited precedential guidance case appellees challenged georgia procedural substantive balance individual family social interests stake voluntary commitment child one regional mental hospitals parties agree prior holdings set general approach testing challenged state procedures due process claim assuming existence protectible property liberty interest required balancing number factors first private interest affected official action second risk erroneous deprivation interest procedures used probable value additional substitute procedural safeguards finally government interest including function involved fiscal administrative burdens additional substitute procedural requirement entail mathews eldridge quoted smith organization foster families disputed child common adults substantial liberty interest confined unnecessarily medical treatment state involvement commitment decision constitutes state action fourteenth amendment see addington texas gault specht patterson also recognize commitment sometimes produces adverse social consequences child reaction discovery child received psychiatric care cf addington texas supra reaction however need equated community response resulting labeled state delinquent criminal mentally ill possibly dangerous see ibid gault supra paul davis state voluntary commitment procedures label child provides diagnosis treatment medical specialists conclude child requires terms public reaction child exhibits abnormal behavior may seriously injured erroneous decision commit appellees overlook significant source public reaction mentally ill truly stigmatizing symptomatology mental emotional illness addington texas supra see also schwartz myers astrachan psychiatric labeling rehabilitation mental patient archives general psychiatry pattern untreated abnormal behavior even nondangerous arouses least much negative reaction treatment becomes public knowledge person needing receiving appropriate medical care may well face even greater social ostracism resulting observable symptoms untreated disorder however need decide effect factors might different case purposes decision assume child protectible interest free unnecessary bodily restraints also labeled erroneously persons improper decision state hospital superintendent next deal interests parents decided basis observations independent professional recommendations child needs institutional care appellees argue constitutional rights child magnitude likelihood parental abuse great parents traditional interests responsibility upbringing child must subordinated least extent providing formal adversary hearing prior voluntary commitment jurisprudence historically reflected western civilization concepts family unit broad parental authority minor children cases consistently followed course constitutional system long ago rejected notion child mere creature state contrary asserted parents generally right coupled high duty recognize prepare children additional obligations pierce society sisters see also wisconsin yoder prince massachusetts meyer nebraska surely includes high duty recognize symptoms illness seek follow medical advice law concept family rests presumption parents possess child lacks maturity experience capacity judgment required making life difficult decisions important historically recognized natural bonds affection lead parents act best interests children blackstone commentaries kent commentaries american law many legal presumptions experience reality may rebut law accepts starting point incidence child neglect abuse cases attests parents may times acting interests children stated bartley kremens supp ed vacated remanded creates basis caution hardly reason discard wholesale pages human experience teach parents generally act child best interests see rolfe macclintock statist notion governmental power supersede parental authority cases parents abuse neglect children repugnant american tradition nonetheless recognized state without constitutional control parental discretion dealing children physical mental health jeopardized see wisconsin yoder supra prince massachusetts supra moreover recently declared unconstitutional state statute granted parents absolute veto minor child decision abortion planned parenthood central missouri danforth appellees urge precedents limiting traditional rights parents viewed context liberty interest child likelihood parental abuse require us hold parents decision child admitted mental hospital must subjected exacting constitutional scrutiny including formal adversary hearing appellees argument however sweeps broadly simply decision parent agreeable child involves risks automatically transfer power make decision parents agency officer state characterizations made tonsillectomy appendectomy medical procedure children even adolescence simply able make sound judgments concerning many decisions including need medical care treatment parents must make judgments finding district even single instance bad faith parent member appellees class assume result meyer nebraska supra pierce society sisters supra different children announced preference learn english preference go public rather church school fact child may balk hospitalization complain parental refusal provide cosmetic surgery diminish parents authority decide best child see generally goldstein medical care child risk state supervention parental autonomy yale bennett allocation child medical care decisionmaking authority suggested interest analysis rev neither state officials federal courts equipped review parental decisions appellees place particular reliance planned parenthood arguing holding indicates little deference parents appropriate child exercising constitutional right basic situation case however different planned parenthood involved absolute parental veto child ability obtain abortion parents georgia sense absolute right commit children state mental hospitals statute requires superintendent regional hospital exercise independent judgment child need confinement see supra defining respective rights prerogatives child parent voluntary commitment setting conclude precedents permit parents retain substantial dominant role decision absent finding neglect abuse traditional presumption parents act best interests child apply also conclude however child rights nature commitment decision parents always absolute unreviewable discretion decide whether child institutionalized course retain plenary authority seek care children subject physician independent examination medical judgment state obviously significant interest confining use costly mental health facilities cases genuine need georgia program seeks first determine whether patient seeking admission illness calls inpatient treatment accomplish purpose state charged superintendents regional hospital responsibility determining authorizing admission whether prospective patient mentally ill whether patient likely benefit hospital care addition state imposed continuing duty hospital superintendents release patient recovered point hospitalization longer needed state performing voluntarily assumed mission also significant interest imposing unnecessary procedural obstacles may discourage mentally ill families seeking needed psychiatric assistance parens patriae interest helping parents care mental health children fulfilled parents unwilling take advantage opportunities admission process onerous embarrassing contentious surely idle speculate many parents believe acting good faith forgo hospital care care contingent participation adversary proceeding designed probe motives private family matters seeking voluntary admission state also genuine interest allocating priority diagnosis treatment patients soon admitted hospital rather procedural minuets admission one factor must considered utilization time psychiatrists psychologists behavioral specialists preparing participating hearings rather performing task special training fitted behavioral experts courtrooms hearings little help patients amici brief american psychiatric association et al points page average staff psychiatrist hospital presently able devote time direct patient care one consequence increasing procedures state must provide prior child voluntary admission mental health professionals diverted even treatment patients order travel participate wait hundreds even thousands hearings year obviously cost procedures come public moneys legislature intended mental health care see slovenko turn consideration process protects adequately child constitutional rights reducing risks error without unduly trenching traditional parental authority without undercutting efforts legitimate interests state patient served voluntary commitments addington texas see also mathews eldridge conclude risk error inherent parental decision child institutionalized mental health care sufficiently great kind inquiry made neutral factfinder determine whether statutory requirements admission satisfied see goldberg kelly morrissey brewer inquiry must carefully probe child background using available sources including limited parents schools social agencies course review must also include interview child necessary decisionmaker authority refuse admit child satisfy medical standards admission finally necessary child continuing need commitment reviewed periodically similarly independent procedure satisfied procedures protect child erroneous admission decision way neither unduly burdens inhibits parental decisions seek state help due process never thought require neutral detached trier fact law trained judicial administrative officer see goldberg kelly supra morrissey brewer supra surely case medical decisions neither judges administrative hearing officers better qualified psychiatrists render psychiatric judgments roger cal clark dissenting thus staff physician suffice long free evaluate independently child mental emotional condition need treatment necessary deciding physician conduct formal hearing state free require hearing due process violated use informal traditional medical investigative techniques since medical procedures already exist undertake outline specificity precisely investigation must involve mode procedure medical diagnostic procedures business judges best child individual medical decision must left judgment physicians case emphasize decision represent independent judgment child requires sources information traditionally relied physicians behavioral specialists consulted process constitutionally due divorced nature ultimate decision made every determination state officers made effectively use procedural tools judicial administrative decisionmaking board curators univ missouri horowitz see also greenholtz nebraska penal inmates ante cafeteria restaurant workers mcelroy questions essentially medical character whether child mentally emotionally ill whether benefit treatment provided state facts plainly necessary proper resolution questions first step process opinion unanimous recently stated addington texas determination whether person mentally ill turns meaning facts must interpreted expert psychiatrists psychologists although acknowledge fallibility medical psychiatric diagnosis see donaldson concurring opinion accept notion shortcomings specialists always avoided shifting decision trained specialist using traditional tools medical science untrained judge administrative hearing officer hearing even hearing nonspecialist decisionmaker must make decision common human experience scholarly opinions suggest supposed protections adversary proceeding determine appropriateness medical decisions commitment treatment mental emotional illness may well illusory real see albers pasewark meyer involuntary hospitalization psychiatric testimony fallibility doctrine immaculate perception cap rev another problem requiring formalized factfinding hearing lies danger poses significant intrusion relationship pitting parents child adversaries often odds presumption parents act best interests child one thing require neutral physician make careful review parents decision order make sure proper medical standpoint wholly different matter employ adversary contest ascertain whether parents motivation consistent child interests moreover appropriate inquire hearing contribute successful treatment patient surely risk exacerbate whatever tensions already exist child parents since parents usually play significant role treatment child hospitalized even release serious risk adversary confrontation adversely affect ability parents assist child hospital moreover make subsequent return home difficult unfortunate results especially critical emotionally disturbed child seem likely occur context adversary hearing parents testify confrontation intimate family relationships distress normal adult parents impact disturbed child almost certainly significantly greater suggested hearing conducted someone admitting physician necessary order detect instances parents guilty railroading children asylums using voluntary commitment procedures order sanction behavior disapprov ellis volunteering children parental commitment minors mental institutions rev see also parham brief appellees curiously seems taken granted parents seek dump children state inevitably able conceal motives thus deceive admitting psychiatrists mental health professionals make review admission decision elementary one early diagnostic inquiry cause emotional disturbance child examination environment child unlikely inconceivable decision abandon emotionally normal healthy child thrust institution discrete act leaving trail circumstances evidence conflicts emerge either interviews secondary sources unrealistic believe trained psychiatrists skilled eliciting responses sorting medically relevant facts sensing motivational nuances often deceived family situation surrounding child emotional disturbance surely lay even factfinder skilled process professional expressing confidence medical decisionmaking process means suggesting error free occasion parents may initially mislead admitting physician physician may erroneously diagnose child needing institutional care either negligence overabundance caution may risks error process affords rational predicate holding unconstitutional entire statutory administrative scheme generally followed rocedural due process rules shaped risk error inherent truthfinding process applied generality cases rare exceptions mathews eldridge general satisfied independent medical decisionmaking process includes thorough psychiatric investigation described earlier followed additional periodic review child condition protect children admitted believe risks error process significantly reduced formal hearing issue remains whether georgia practices described record us comport minimum due process requirements georgia statute envisions careful diagnostic medical inquiry conducted admitting physician regional hospital amicus brief explains pages every instance decision whether accept child treatment made physician employed state decision based interviews recommendations hospital community health center staff staff interviews child parent guardian brings child facility attempts made communicate possible sources information child typical case parents child initially conclude child behavior emotional problem short something wrong may respond problem various ways generally first contact state occurs bring child examined psychologist psychiatrist community mental health clinic often examination followed outpatient treatment community clinic addition child parents encouraged sometimes required participate family therapy program obtain better insight problem instances care child requires however period outpatient care child abnormal emotional condition persists may referred local clinic staff affiliated regional mental hospital regional hospital admissions team composed psychiatrist least one mental health professional examines interviews child privately instances team examines medical records provided clinic staff interviews parents based information additional background obtained admissions team makes diagnosis determines whether child likely benefit institutionalized care team finds either condition met admission refused team admits child suited hospitalization child condition continuing need hospital care reviewed periodically least one independent medical reviewed group part reviews frequent weekly none less often every two months moreover noted earlier superintendent hospital charged affirmative statutory duty discharge child longer mentally ill need therapy medical procedures georgia totally free risk error sense give total absolute assurance every child admitted hospital mental illness optimally suitable institutionalized treatment bears repeating procedural due process rules shaped risk error inherent process applied generality cases rare exceptions mathews eldridge supra georgia procedures arbitrary sense single physician professional unbridled discretion district saw commit child regional hospital find record require us assume physicians psychologists mental health professionals participate admission decision review conclusions continuing validity initial decision either oblivious indifferent child welfare incompetent note however district found contrary impressed conscientious dedicated state employed psychiatrists help equally conscientious dedicated state employed psychologists social workers faithfully care plaintiff children finding district also effectively rebuts suggestion made briefs amici hospital administrators may actually neutral detached institutional pressure admit child need hospital care practice may take place institutions places affords basis finding georgia program evidence record provides support whatever charge staffs state eight regional hospitals cases found dealt individually lend remedies satisfied voluminous record whole supports conclusion admissions staffs hospitals acted neutral detached fashion making medical judgments best interests children state mental health programs provides authority trained professionals assist parents examining diagnosing treating emotionally disturbed children hiring practices provides hospitals district found conscientious public employees implement state beneficent purposes although review record case satisfies us georgia general administrative statutory scheme voluntary commitment children per se unconstitutional decide record whether every child appellees class received adequate independent diagnosis emotional condition need confinement standards announced earlier opinion remand district free consider individual claims initial admissions meet standards described opinion addition note appellees original complaint alleged state failed provide adequate periodic review need institutional care claimed additional due process violation since district held appellees original confinement unconstitutional reason consider separate claim similarly basis determining whether review procedures various hospitals adequate provide process called process might required child contests confinement requesting release matters require factual findings present district opinion held periodic reviews described record reduce risk error initial admission thus necessary whether sufficient justify continuing voluntary commitment issue district remand district free require additional evidence issue iv discussion part iii directed situation child natural parents request admission state mental hospital members appellees class including wards state georgia time admission obviously situation differs members class natural parents determination process due varies somewhat state rather natural parent makes request commitment conclude differences two situations justify requiring different procedures time child initial admission hospital ward state may well adult knows thoroughly cares deeply unlike natural parents presumed natural affection guide action blackstone commentaries kent commentaries american law presumption state protect child general welfare stems specific state statute code contrary suggestion dissent however assume state georgia custody child acts differently natural parent seeking medical assistance child one questioned validity statutory presumption state acts child best interest challenge mounted record us evidence state acting guardian attempted admit child reasons unrelated child need treatment indeed neither district appellees suggested wards state receive constitutional treatment different children natural parents accept state application child admission hospital made good faith question whether medical decisionmaking approach admitting physician adequate satisfy due process already recognized independent medical judgment made perspective best interests child careful investigation acceptable means justifying voluntary commitment believe soundness decisionmaking less reasonable setting indeed anything decision regard wards state may well even reasonable light extensive written records compiled child state custody case admitting physician complete social medical history child even beginning diagnosis carefully interviewing reviewing extensive files three physicians independently concluded institutional care best interests see supra since state agency custody control child loco parentis duty consider best interests child respect decision commitment mental hospital state may constitutionally allow custodial agency speak child subject course restrictions governing natural parents record declare unconstitutional georgia admission procedures wards state possible procedures required reviewing ward need continuing care different used review need child natural parents suggested earlier issue process due justify continuing voluntary commitment must considered district remand making inquiry district might well consider whether wards state treated respect continuing therapy differently children natural parents absence adult cares deeply child little effect reliability initial admission decision may effect long child remain hospital noted addington texas concern family friends generally provide continuous opportunities erroneous commitment corrected child without natural parents must acknowledge risk lost shuffle moreover least indication commitment prolonged department family children services difficulty finding foster home whether wards state generally received less protection children natural parents done however matters must decided first instance district remand concludes issue still alive important remember purpose georgia comprehensive mental health program seeks substantively great cost provide care afford obtain private treatment procedurally screen carefully applicants assure institutional care suited particular patient state resists complex procedures ordered district view unnecessary protect child rights divert public resources central objective administering health care risk aggravating tensions inherent family situation erect barriers may discourage parents seeking medical aid disturbed child record satisfied georgia medical factfinding processes reasonable consistent constitutional guarantees accordingly error hold unconstitutional state procedures admitting child treatment state mental hospital judgment therefore reversed case remanded district proceedings consistent opinion reversed remanded footnotes class certified district without objection appellants consisted persons younger years age hereafter received defendant observation diagnosis detained care treatment facility within state georgia pursuant code although one witness testified given day may children class december section provides superintendent facility may receive observation diagnosis individual years age application made parent guardian found show evidence mental illness suitable treatment person may given care treatment facility person may detained facility period conditions may authorized law superintendent facility shall discharge voluntary patient recovered mental illness sufficiently improved superintendent determines hospitalization patient longer desirable although state eight regional hospitals superintendents seven deposed addition district referred seven hospitals list members plaintiff class apparently eighth hospital northwest regional rome children treated district order issued state commissioner department human resources responsible activities eight hospitals including northwest regional source data national association state mental health program directors state report state mental health agency expenditures record sparse regard physical facilities daily routines various regional hospitals hospital discussed appellees expert witness central state district visited central state one hospital discuss visits opinion respects district found strong support holding decision gault decision held state institutionalize juvenile delinquent without first providing certain due process protections light district holding judicial body review voluntary commitment decisions least interesting note witness made statement quoted text referring parents people dump children hospitals witness opined juvenile judges child welfare agencies misused hospitals app see also rolfe macclintock due process rights minors voluntarily admitted mental institutions psychiatry hereinafter rolfe macclintock study conducted study commission mental health services children youth financed state georgia commission made eight distinguished scholars field mental health spent six months studying five regional hospitals existence time see community health centers act stat amended et seq part opinion deal issues arising natural parents child seek commitment state hospital part iv deal situation presented child ward state see also gove fain stigma mental hospitalization archives general psychiatry phillips rejection mentally ill influence behavior sex sociological rev research schwartz myers astrachan gove fain found stigma mental hospitalization major problem schwartz myers astrachan psychiatric labeling rehabilitation mental patient archives general psychiatry schwartz myers astrachan concluded discharge mental hospital disturbed behavior well controlled may advance patient inhospitable world incubate chronicity avoided first place judge friendly cogently pointed realized procedural requirements entail expenditure limited resources point benefit individuals additional safeguard substantially outweighed cost providing protection expense protecting likely found undeserving probably come pockets deserving friendly kind hearing rev see also wheeler montgomery dissenting opinion discuss fully later infra district decide therefore reason consider time procedures review independently necessary justify continuing child confinement merely hold subsequent independent review patient condition provides necessary check possible arbitrariness initial admission decision relying general statements past decisions dealing governmental actions even remotely similar involved dissent concludes protectible interest involved must form traditional adversary judicial administrative hearing either deprivation result mandated view regardless process state designed protect individual regardless record demonstrates fairness state approach dissenting approach inconsistent repeated assertion due process flexible calls procedural protections particular situation demands morrissey brewer emphasis added requirement exactly procedures employ whenever traditional hearing mandated compare goss lopez wolff mcdonnell morrissey brewer supra goldberg kelly reason require hearing circumstances scope governmental action expands new areas creating new controversies judicial review incumbent courts design procedures protect rights individual without unduly burdening legitimate efforts deal difficult social problems judicial model fact finding constitutionally protected interests regardless nature turn rational decisionmaking unmanageable enterprise see albers pasewark involuntary hospitalization surrender courthouse community psychology mean hearing time consecutive commitment cases minutes miller schwartz county lunacy commission hearings observations commitments state mental hospital social prob mean time hearings minutes scheff societal reaction deviance ascriptive elements psychiatric screening mental patients midwestern state social prob average hearing lasted minutes see also cohen function attorney commitment mentally ill texas rev altogether clear district opinion apparently contemplated hearing preceded written notice proposed commitment hearing child presumably given opportunity heard present evidence right witnesses including course parents also required impartial trier fact render written decision reciting reasons accepting rejecting parental application since parents situation seeking child admission state institution procedure contemplated district presumably call person designated guardian ad litem act child guardian turn lawyer empowered retain counsel act advocate child interest course state may elect provide adversary hearings situations perceives parents child may odds nothing constitution compels procedures evaluating problem detecting dumping parents important keep mind regional hospitals continuing relationship department family children services staffs hospitals refer cases department suspect child mistreated thus sensitive problem fact situation point family conflicts problems well documented hospital records equally well documented however child severe emotional disturbances need treatment alaska stat ann rev stat ann ark stat ann cal welf inst code ann west supp code stat supp code haw rev stat child less idaho code supp parent may admit child child may obtain release rev stat ch supp ind code stat ann supp rev stat la rev stat ann west supp md ann code art supp parental consent permissible facilities mass laws ch west supp comp laws child may object within days receive hearing miss code ann supp certificate need treatment two physicians required mo rev stat rev stat mental hyg law mckinney parent may admit child may obtain release cent code supp ohio rev code ann supp okla tit rev stat stat tit purdon supp child less laws supp requires certificate two physicians child insane code supp comp laws ann code ann utah code ann rev code child also must consent code consent child required wyo stat record demonstrate procedures may vary case case also reflects child georgia admitted indefinite hospitalization without interviewed personally without admitting physician checking secondary sources school work records one important means obtaining individual relief children availability habeas corpus appellants brief explains code provides time without notice person detained facility relative friend person may petition writ habeas corpus question cause legality detention person brief appellants remedy constitutional violation district ordered hearings held member plaintiff class see supra members class found treatable less drastic settings district also ordered state expend moneys necessary provide alternative treatment facilities programs order appropriate remedy substantive due process violation made findings issue order apparently intended remedy procedural due process violation found since judgment reversed basis us consider correctness remedy justice stewart concurring judgment centuries canon common law parents speak minor children deeply imbedded traditions principle law constitution may compel state respect meyer nebraska pierce society sisters ironic contrast district case said constitution requires state georgia disregard established principle agree doubt commitment mental institution results massive curtailment liberty humphrey cady addition physical confinement involved donaldson person liberty also substantially affected stigma attached treatment mental hospital every loss liberty governmental deprivation liberty latter invokes due process clause fourteenth amendment appellees committed following section georgia code authority receive voluntary patients superintendent facility may receive observation diagnosis individual years age older making application therefor individual years age application made parent guardian person legally adjudged incompetent application made guardian found show evidence mental illness suitable treatment person may given care treatment facility person may detained facility period conditions may authorized law code georgia statute recognizes power party act behalf another person voluntary commitment procedures two situations person minor years age party person parent guardian person legally adjudged incompetent party person guardian instances two conditions present first person committed presumptively incapable making voluntary commitment decision second parent guardian presumed acting person best interests case guardians presumptions grounded statutes whose validity nobody questioned case code case parents presumptions grounded statutory embodiment principles common law thus basic question case whether constitution requires georgia ignore basic principles long accepted society state setting constitutionally compelled always intervene parent child question constitutionally required extent intervention believe basic question must answered negative law parents constantly make decisions minor children deprive children liberty sometimes even life yet surely fourteenth amendment invoked informed parent decides upon major surgery child even state hospital perceive basic constitutional differences commitment mental hospital parental decisions result child loss liberty realize course parent decision commit child state mental institution results far greater loss liberty decision appendectomy performed upon child state hospital contrary belief factual difference rises level constitutional difference believe objective checks upon parents commitment decision embodied georgia law thoroughly discussed ante constitutionally sufficient sure presumption parent acting best interests child must rebuttable one since certainly parents actuated unselfish motive law presumes parents simply unfit parents georgia clearly provides unfit parent stripped parental authority laws dealing neglect abuse children easy case issues involving family issues concerning mental illness among difficult courts face involving often serious problems policy disguised questions constitutional law state legislature makes reasonable definition age minority creates rebuttable presumption invoking statutory procedures voluntary commitment parent acting best interests minor child believe fourteenth amendment violated say area constitution compels state respect traditional authority parent meyer pierce cases believe prince massachusetts constitution tolerate intervention state far cry holding intervention constitutionally compelled reasons concur judgment see blackstone commentaries kent commentaries american law schouler treatise law domestic relations ed field legal relations infants cardinal us custody care nurture child reside first parents whose primary function freedom include preparation obligations state neither supply hinder prince massachusetts history culture western civilization reflect strong tradition parental concern nurture upbringing children primary role parents upbringing children established beyond debate enduring american tradition wisconsin yoder may foresee consequences decision minor may make enforceable bargain may lawfully work travel pleases even attend exhibitions constitutionally protected adult motion pictures persons certain age may marry without parental consent planned parenthood central missouri danforth stevens concurring part dissenting part child mere creature state nurture direct destiny right coupled high duty recognize prepare additional obligations pierce society sisters fact stigma may unjustified mean exist fact public reaction past commitment may less reaction aberrant behavior detract assessment aberrant behavior may disappear fact past institutionalization lasts forever also true child removed control parents juvenile duty secure care nearly possible equivalent parents given code power guardian person ward shall parent child guardian standing place like manner shall duty guardian protect maintain according circumstances ward educate planned parenthood central missouri danforth entirely different case opinion today discusses differences ante think fundamental one danforth case involved expectant mother right decide upon abortion personal substantive constitutional right roe wade doe bolton contrast appellees case substantive constitutional right hospitalized psychiatric treatment see justice brennan opinion post prince case held state may constitutionally intervene relationship purpose enforcing law state intervened procedures course subject limitations imposed fourteenth amendment justice brennan justice marshall justice stevens join concurring part dissenting part agree commitment juveniles state mental hospitals parents state officials acting loco parentis involves state action impacts upon constitutionally protected interests therefore must accomplished procedures consistent constitutional mandate due process law agree also district erred interpreting due process clause require preconfinement commitment hearings cases parents wish hospitalize children disagree however decision pretermit questions concerning postadmission procedures due georgia institutionalized juveniles question frequency postadmission review hearings may properly deferred right least one postadmission hearing affirmed also disagree conclusion concerning procedures due juvenile wards state georgia believe georgia statute unconstitutional fails accord preconfinement hearings juvenile wards state committed state acting loco parentis rights children committed mental institutions considerations cases made clear commitment mental hospital deprivation liberty state accomplish without due process law donaldson burger concurring see mcneil director patuxent institution defective delinquent commitment following expiration prison term specht patterson sex offender commitment following criminal conviction chaloner sherman incompetence inquiry absence voluntary knowing intelligent waiver adults facing commitment mental institutions entitled full fair adversary hearings necessity commitment established satisfaction neutral tribunal hearings must accorded right present counsel opportunity heard confronted witnesses right offer evidence specht patterson supra principles also govern commitment children constitutional rights mature come magically one attains age majority minors well adults protected constitution possess constitutional rights see breed jones goss lopez tinker des moines school gault planned parenthood central missouri danforth indeed may well argued children entitled protection adults consequences erroneous commitment decision tragic children involved children average confined longer periods adults moreover childhood particularly vulnerable time life children erroneously institutionalized formative years may bear scars rest lives furthermore provision satisfactory institutionalized mental care children generally requires substantial financial commitment often forthcoming decisions lower courts chronicled inadequacies existing mental health facilities children see new york state assn retarded children rockefeller supp edny conditions willowbrook school mentally retarded inhumane involving failure protect physical safety children substantial personnel shortage poor hazardous conditions wyatt stickney supp md aff sub nom wyatt aderholt grossly substandard conditions partlow school mentally retarded lead hazardous deplorable inadequacies institution operation addition chances erroneous commitment decision particularly great children involved even best circumstances psychiatric diagnosis therapy decisions fraught uncertainties see donaldson supra burger concurring uncertainties aggravated georgia practice psychiatrist interviews child period abnormal stress connection commitment without adequate time opportunity become acquainted patient uncertainties may aggravated economic social class separate doctor child thereby frustrating accurate diagnosis pathology compounded uncertainties often lead erroneous commitments since psychiatrists tend err side medical caution therefore hospitalize patients dispositions beneficial national institute mental health recently found patients age confined elizabeths hospital actually required hospitalization particular relevance case georgia study commission mental health services children youth concluded half state institutionalized children need confinement forms care made available used cited parham supp md ii rights children committed parents notwithstanding georgia denies hearings juveniles institutionalized behest parents georgia rationalizes practice theory parents act children best interests therefore may waive children due process rights children incarcerated parents wish confined georgia contends really voluntary patients accept argument society parental rights limited legitimate rights interests children parents may free become martyrs follow free identical circumstances make martyrs children reached age full legal discretion make choice prince massachusetts principle reflected variety statutes cases authorize state intervention behalf neglected abused children inter alia curtail parental authority alienate children property withhold necessary medical treatment deny children exposure ideas experiences may later need independent autonomous adults principle also reflected constitutional jurisprudence notions parental authority family autonomy stand absolute invariable barriers assertion constitutional rights children example may condition minor right secure abortion attaining parents consent since right abortion important personal right since disputes parents children question fracture family autonomy see planned parenthood central missouri danforth case governed rule danforth right free wrongful incarceration physical intrusion stigmatization significance individual surely great right abortion moreover danforth dispute issue characterized involving routine decision made within context ongoing family relationship indeed danforth involved potential dispute parent child whereas break family autonomy actually resulted parents decision surrender custody child state mental institution view child ousted family even greater need independent advocate additional considerations counsel allowing parents unfettered power institutionalize children without cause without hearing ascertain cause presumption parents act children best interests applicable decisions applicable commitment context numerous studies reveal parental decisions institutionalize children often results dislocation family unrelated children mental condition moreover even parents lack expertise necessary evaluate relative advantages disadvantages inpatient opposed outpatient psychiatric treatment parental decisions waive hearings questions explored therefore conclusively deemed either informed intelligent circumstances respectfully suggest ignores reality assume blindly parents act children best interests making commitment decisions waiving children due process rights mean obliged treat children committed behest parents precisely manner persons involuntarily committed demands due process flexible parental commitment decision carries practical implications may legitimately take account general rule due process requires commitment hearings precede involuntary hospitalization parents seek hospitalize children special considerations militate favor postponement formal commitment proceedings mandatory adversary preconfinement commitment hearings first prospect adversary hearing prior admission might deter parents seeking needed medical attention children second hearings might delay treatment children whose home life become impossible require form immediate state care furthermore adversary hearings juncture necessarily involve direct challenges parental authority judgment veracity preadmission hearings may well result pitting child advocate parents turn might traumatize parent child make child eventual return family difficult special considerations believe may legitimately postpone formal commitment proceedings parents seek inpatient psychiatric treatment children children may admitted limited period without prior hearing long admitting psychiatrist first interviews parent child concludes inpatient treatment appropriate georgia present admission procedures reasonably consistent principles see ante extent district invalidated aspect georgia juvenile commitment scheme mandated preconfinement hearings cases agree district error believe however present georgia juvenile commitment scheme constitutional entirety although georgia may postpone formal commitment hearings parents seek commit children state dispense hearings altogether cases make clear protected interests stake fundamental requirement due process opportunity heard meaningful time meaningful manner mathews eldridge quoting part armstrong manzo whenever prior hearings impracticable must provide reasonably prompt postdeprivation hearings compare north georgia finishing mitchell grant informal postadmission procedures georgia follows simply enough qualify hearings let alone reasonably prompt hearings procedures lack traditional due process safeguards commitment decisions made ex parte georgia institutionalized juveniles informed reasons commitment enjoy right present commitment determination right representation right heard right confronted adverse witnesses right right offer evidence standard due process procedures deficient see wolff mcdonnell morrissey brewer mcneil director patuxent institution specht patterson see also goldberg kelly understand pretermits condemnation ex parte procedures operate deny georgia institutionalized juveniles even form hearing mathews eldridge supra condemned suffer rigors institutional confinement special considerations militate preadmission commitment hearings parents seek hospitalize children militate reasonably prompt postadmission commitment hearings first place postadmission hearings delay commencement needed treatment children cared state pending disposition decision second interest avoiding family discord less significant stage since family autonomy already fractured institutionalization child event postadmission hearings unlikely disrupt family relationships later hearings case commitment based upon observations hospital staff judgments staff psychiatrists rather upon parental observations recommendations doctors urging commitment parents stand child adversaries consequence postadmission commitment hearings unlikely involve direct challenges parental authority judgment veracity defend child child advocate need dispute parents original decision seek medical treatment child even matter observations concerning child behavior advocate need argue example child sufficiently improved hospital stay warrant outpatient treatment outright discharge conflict doctor advocate question unlikely lead family discord consequence prospect postadmission hearing unlikely deter parents seeking medical attention children hearing unlikely traumatize parent child make child eventual return family impracticable postadmission hearings defeat primary purpose state juvenile mental health enterprise present juvenile commitment scheme georgia parents enjoy absolute discretion commit children public mental hospitals see ante superintendents state facilities may accept children treatment unless first determine children mentally ill likely benefit hospital care see ibid superintendent determines either condition unmet child must released refused admission regardless parents desires see ibid legitimate state interest suffer superintendent determinations reached fair proceedings due consideration fairly presented opposing viewpoints rather present practice secret ex parte deliberations good faith good intentions georgia psychiatrists social workers adverted see ante excuse georgia ex parte procedures georgia admitting psychiatrists like school disciplinarians described goss lopez although proceeding utmost good faith frequently act reports advice others controlling facts nature conduct challenge often disputed see app testimony messinger goss risk error trivial guarded may done without prohibitive cost interference process airness rarely obtained secret determination facts decisive rights secrecy congenial gives slender assurance rightness better instrument devised arriving truth give person jeopardy serious loss notice case opportunity meet goss lopez supra quoting part joint refugee committee mcgrath frankfurter concurring iii rights children committed state guardians find reasoning particularly unpersuasive equal logic argued criminal trials unnecessary since prosecutors supposed prosecute innocent persons mind justification denying children committed social workers prior hearings constitution typically requires first place children said waived rights prior hearing simply social workers wished confined rule parents speak children even applicable commitment context transmuted rule state social workers speak minor clients rule favor deference parental authority designed shield parental control child rearing state interference see pierce society sisters rule invoked defense unfettered state control child rearing immunize review decisions state social workers social relationship deserving special protection deference accorded relationship state officials acting loco parentis equated parents see donaldson wisconsin yoder second special considerations justify postponement formal commitment proceedings whenever parents seek hospitalize children absent children wards state committed upon recommendations social workers prospect preadmission hearings likely deter state social workers discharging duties securing psychiatric attention disturbed clients moreover since children already form state custody wards state prehospitalization hearings prevent needy children receiving state care pendency commitment proceedings finally hearings decisions state social workers reviewed state officials likely traumatize children hinder eventual recovery reasons believe absence exigent circumstances juveniles committed upon recommendation social workers entitled preadmission commitment hearings consequence hold georgia present practice denying juveniles prior hearings unconstitutional iv children incarcerated public mental institutions constitutionally entitled fair opportunity contest legitimacy confinement entitled champion speak behalf stands ready oppose wrongful commitment georgia permitted deny opportunity champion simply children parents guardians wish confined without hearing risk erroneous commitment simply great unless form adversary review fairness demands children abandoned supposed protectors rigors institutional confinement given help separate voice see winters miller cert denied scott plante souder mcguire supp md see knecht gillman mackey procunier see wyatt hardin md june july price sheppard nelson hudspeth sd may see kaimowitz michigan dept mental health cir wayne see generally note civil commitment mentally ill harv rev see dept hew national institute mental health biometry branch statistical note utilization psychiatric facilities persons years age table july see bowlby child care growth love horrocks psychology adolescence elkin agents socialization children behavior bergman ed see flint child institution leland smith mental retardation present future perspectives hobbs futures children see joint commission mental health children crisis child mental health challenge see kugel wolfensberger changing patterns residential services mentally retarded see also wheeler glass davis watkins supp nd ohio welsch likins supp see simmons psychiatric examination children lourie rieger psychiatric psychological examination children american handbook psychiatry ed see joint commission mental health children supra see scheff mentally ill sociological theory ennis litwack psychiatry presumption expertise flipping coins courtroom rev see dept hew national institute mental health biometry branch statistical note children state mental hospitals apr see generally katz parents fail midonick besharov children parents courts juvenile delinquency ungovernability neglect wald state intervention behalf neglected children search realistic standards stan rev see martorell ochoa see jehovah witnesses king county hospital supp wd aff sampson misc fam ulster county aff app div aff state perricone similarly recent legal disputes involving sterilization children led conclusion parents permitted authorize operations consequences see ind app mo frazier levi tex civ app see commonwealth renfrew mass meyerkorth state neb appeal dism weberman misc sup aff app div aff appeal dism murdock civil rights mentally retarded critical issues notre dame law vogel bell emotionally disturbed child family scapegoat modern introduction family national institute mental health reported housands upon thousands elderly patients confined back wards state mental institutions first admitted children thirty forty even fifty years ago recent report one state estimates one every four children admitted mental hospitals anticipate permanently hospitalized next years lives joint commission mental health children supra indeed postadmission hearings may well advance purposes state enterprise first hearings promote accuracy ensure superintendent diverts children require hospitalization appropriate programs second hearings may prove therapeutic children feel received fair hearing may likely accept legitimacy confinement acknowledge illness cooperate attempting give treatment turn remove significant impediment successful therapy see katz right treatment enchanting legal fiction chi rev donaldson burger concurring