IN RE: B. K. B. (2021)

Appellant seeks reversal of an order committing her to the Mental Health Division for a period not to exceed 180 days, as well as a supplemental order prohibiting her from purchasing or possessing firearms, based on a finding that she suffers from a mental illness. ORS 426.130. Appellant was hospitalized based on a physician's hold on October 27, 2020. Several days thereafter, the court, on its own motion, postponed appellant's mental commitment hearing until November 4, 2020, due to unavailability of a mental health examiner. Appellant asserts that the court erred in doing so.

Appellant did not preserve any issue concerning the postponement in the trial court but argues on appeal that the court plainly erred in postponing the hearing on its own motion and not holding a hearing within five days of her detention. The state concedes the error, and we accept that concession. A court is required to hold a hearing such as this within five judicial days of the appellant's detention. State v. L. O. W., 292 Or. App. 376, 381, 424 P.3d 789 (2018). A court may postpone such a hearing for an additional five days at the request of a party, based on a finding of “good cause.” ORS 426.095(2)(c). As we explained in State v. J. O. B., 296 Or. App. 153, 154, 436 P.3d 91 (2019), ORS 426.095(2)(c) does not authorize a court to postpone a hearing on its own motion. We conclude that the error is plain, and we exercise discretion to correct the error due to its gravity. See State v. R. W. S., 292 Or. App. 405, 406, 419 P.3d 804 (2018) (correcting similar error due to gravity of error).

Reversed.

PER CURIAM