Click on the case titles to link to the full case decision.
O'Conner v. Donaldson, 422 U.S. 563 (1975)-A finding of "mental Illness" alone cannot justify the involuntary confinement of someone who is not a danger to himself or others. A mentally ill person also cannot be justifiably confined in order to improve their living conditions.
Kansas v. Hendricks, 000 U.S. 95-1649 (1997)-A child molester, who was about to be released from prison, was determined to have a mental abnormality (pedophilia). It was also determined that he was a violent sexual predator. Kansas filed a petition under its Sexually Violent Predator Act to have Hendricks civilly committed. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the civil commitment did not violate the "double jeopardy" clause of the Constitution.
Buchanan v. Maine, 06-1466 (1st Cir. 2006)-Buchanan, a mentally ill person, has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia with paranoia. Buchanan decided to stop taking his medication. His mental disorder got worse. He went to his neighbor's house and set her wood pile on fire. The neighbor called the police and requested a welfare check on Buchanan. The police arrived and contacted Buchanan at his residence. Buchanan appeared to be distraught and agitated. Buchanan began yelling nonsensical statements at the officers from his window. The officers contacted Buchanan in his doorway. Buchanan had bloody hands and was screaming at the officers. Officer Emerson was spit on by Buchanan. Officer Emerson followed Buchanan into his residence and upstairs to the bedroom area. While Emerson was following him, Buchanan spit on him two more times. Buchanan then obtained a knife, grabbed Emerson, And stabbed him multiple times. Officer Emerson's partner had no choice but to draw his weapon and shoot and kill Buchanan. The court determined that the officers had to do their duty and check the welfare of Buchanan. They also reasonably entering Buchanan's residence because Buchanan displayed signs that he was a threat to himself and others. The unfortunate shooting of Buchanan was justified.