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Chapter 9: When Courts Order Treatment- Civil and Criminal Commitments

  • Page ID
    327853
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    Learning Objectives

    The following learning objectives tell you what is most important in this chapter. Use these statements as a guide to make sure you get the most out of this chapter.

    1. Explain why and how civil commitment is used to manage people with mental disorders outside of the criminal justice system.
    2. Describe the basic steps involved in accomplishing a civil commitment, with attention to how this process may connect or relate to the criminal justice system.
    3. Discuss potential benefits and harms of civil commitment.
    4. Compare different types of commitments that are used to manage justice-involved people with mental disorders.
    • 9.1: Chapter Learning Objectives and Overview
      This page discusses civil commitment as a legal means to manage individuals with mental disorders outside the criminal system, highlighting its limited application for public and individual protection. It distinguishes civil from criminal commitments, defines related legal procedures, and examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of involuntary treatment. Understanding these topics is essential for addressing the relationship between mental health and legal rights.
    • 9.2: Fundamentals of Civil Commitment
      This page explains the civil commitment process, designed for individuals with mental disorders deemed unsafe. It emphasizes intervention over punishment, noting that most treatment is voluntary and that actual commitments are rare. The process varies by state, starting with emergency holds followed by hearings to assess danger and mental health status.
    • 9.3: The Role of Civil Commitment
      This page discusses the tension between individual rights and safety in civil commitment for individuals with mental disorders, asserting that rights should be preserved and commitment used sparingly. It addresses ethical concerns surrounding involuntary treatment, discrimination, and the criminalization of mental health.
    • 9.4: Legal Limits on Civil Commitment
      This page covers key legal cases on civil commitment for individuals with mental disorders. It highlights O’Connor v. Donaldson (1975), where the Supreme Court established that mental illness alone does not justify indefinite confinement without a danger criterion. The page also discusses Addington v. Texas, where the Court set a "clear and convincing evidence" standard for involuntary commitment, balancing the protection of individual freedoms with public safety concerns.
    • 9.5: Commitments in Criminal Proceedings
      This page examines involuntary treatment in criminal proceedings, focusing on incompetence and insanity defenses. It details the rise in patients committed for competency restoration in Oregon, leading to overcrowding and civil rights issues. The page further outlines the treatment of those found "Guilty Except for Insanity," emphasizing oversight by legal and medical professionals and community safety concerns.
    • 9.6: Post-Conviction Commitments
      This page discusses post-conviction commitment, which entails the involuntary commitment of individuals, mainly sex offenders, after they have completed their sentences due to perceived ongoing threats. It raises controversies around double jeopardy and constitutional issues, yet is supported by the Supreme Court as addressing mental health rather than punishment. Racial disparities are evident, with Black offenders facing higher commitment rates.
    • 9.7: Chapter Summary
      This page covers court-ordered involuntary mental health treatment, focusing on civil and criminal commitments within the criminal justice system. It explains civil commitment for individuals deemed dangerous and criminal commitments for restoring competency or addressing insanity. Specific provisions in Oregon, such as Extremely Dangerous and Resistant to Treatment, are noted.
    • 9.8: References
      This page examines legal statutes, court cases, and scholarly articles regarding civil commitment and mental health laws, focusing on their impact on individuals with severe mental illness. It covers the evolution of civil commitment in Oregon, risks of mental competency laws, and dangerousness standards.


    This page titled Chapter 9: When Courts Order Treatment- Civil and Criminal Commitments is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Anne Nichol (Open Oregon) .