Opinion ID: 2324489
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: test for commitment

Text: I further question the statement in the majority opinion which hinges commitment to a mental institution on a finding of insanity according to the M'Naghten standards. Research has disclosed no other jurisdiction in which commitment turns on such a test. This Court's opinion in Aponte v. State, 30 N.J. 441 (1959), as I read it, clarifies the point. Aponte explains that there are three specific and separate tests for insanity, depending on the purpose of the insanity determination. The M'Naghten standard is to be used for determining whether an accused was insane at the time the criminal act was executed. To decide whether a defendant is sane enough to stand trial, the test to be used is whether the accused understands the nature of the proceedings against him and whether he is capable of assisting counsel with his defense. To decide if he is presently insane such that commitment is warranted, he must be dangerous to himself or others. See also State v. Coleman, 46 N.J. 16, 40 (1965), cert. denied, 383 U.S. 950, 86 S.Ct. 1210, 16 L.Ed. 2d 212 (1966); State v. Caralluzzo, 49 N.J. 152 (1967). As Aponte points out, the standards are not explicitly stated in either New Jersey's criminal or civil commitment statutes, but they should be read in. And again, I believe that equal protection mandates that the same standard be used for someone in Carter's position (not guilty by virtue of insanity) as for all other civilly committed persons  that is, the standard of dangerous to self or others. Aponte v. State, supra, 30 N.J. at 455; In re Heukelekian, 24 N.J. Super. 407, 409 (App. Div. 1953). V