Sell v. United States
Dr. Sell, a dentist, was charged with Medicaid fraud and sent to the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners for a psychiatric evaluation of his competency to stand trial. He was found competent and released on bond. Bond was later revoked and Sell was charged in a second indictment with conspiring and attempting to kill a witness and an FBI agent. Sell was diagnosed with a delusional disorder; the government psychologists recommended treatment with anti-psychotic drugs, to which Sell objected. A magistrate judge found that Sell was a danger to himself and others and authorized the government to forcibly medicate Sell. The district court reversed the finding that Sell was dangerous, but held that the government’s interest in restoring Sell to competency warranted forcible medication. The court of appeals affirmed.
Question Presented:
Whether the Court of Appeals erred in rejecting petitioner’s argument that allowing the government to administer anti-psychotic medication against his will solely to render him competent to
stand trial for non-violent offenses would violate his rights under the First, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments.
