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Knowing Your Rights in a Forensic Facility

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11

express and informed consent to treatment

Image of a pill bottle with two pills in front of it.

Image of a syringe.

Photograph of assorted pills.

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Lecture Notes

PS: So are the doctors going to force me to take medication? A: You have the right to be informed of your treatment options and to give consent to treatment; to know the potential side effects of any medication or treatment; and to withdraw consent to treatment made by you. If it is determined that you are unable to make good treatment decisions for yourself, the facility administrator will petition the court and ask for a court order to medicate you. At this hearing you will be represented by an attorney and the court must listen to your reasons for not wanting to take the medication. You have a right to testify, have witnesses, and questions witnesses. A court order for medication is good for up to 90 days and can be renewed at a new hearing.