advancedSell v. United Statesinvoluntary medicationcompetency restorationforensic psychiatrydue process
A 38-year-old man with schizoaffective disorder is found incompetent to stand trial on assault charges. He has been in a forensic psychiatric facility for 4 months and consistently refuses antipsychotic medication. The treatment team believes medication would likely restore his competency. The prosecuting attorney petitions the court for involuntary medication to restore trial competency. The PMHNP is asked to provide clinical input on whether involuntary medication meets legal standards.