Jackson v. Indiana (Supreme Court, 1972): The Supreme Court ruled incompetent defendants could not be committed indefinitely. A defendant committed to a mental hospital based solely on the account of incompetency to stand trial cannot be held for more than a reasonable period of time necessary to determine if they will attain competency in the future. “Due process requires that the nature and duration of commitment bear some reasonable relation to the purpose for which the individual is committed.” Following a reasonable period of time if the defendant is unlikely to be restored to competency they must either be civilly committed through proceedings applicable to those not charged with a crime or be released. Failure to release is a violation of due process (14th Amendment).
Forensic & Psychological Assessments