Sell v. U.S.: Involuntary Treatment Case or Catalyst for Change?

U.S.1 dealt with the involuntary administration of antipsychotic medication to an incompetent pretrial defendant. The Court’s holding set forth what has quickly become known as the “Sell criteria. ” These four criteria can be paraphrased as: (1) Did the defendant commit a serious crime? (2) Is there a substantial likelihood that involun-tary medication will restore the defendant’s compe-tence and do so without causing side effects that will significantly interfere with the defendant’s ability to assist counsel? (3) Is involuntary medication the least intrusive treatment for restoration of competence? (4) Is the proposed treatment medically appropriate