Opinion ID: 2561809
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the harper standard is inapplicable to ms. barzee's case

Text: ś 28 [B]efore turning to the trial competence question, we must determine whether forced administration of drugs can be justified on alternative grounds. Sell v. United States, 539 U.S. 166, 182, 123 S.Ct. 2174, 156 L.Ed.2d 197 (2003) (emphasis omitted). In Washington v. Harper , the United States Supreme Court determined that involuntarily medicating a mentally ill criminal defendant could be constitutionally permissible if the inmate is a danger to herself or others or if the inmate's refusal to take drugs poses grave risks to her health. 494 U.S. 210, 225-26, 110 S.Ct. 1028, 108 L.Ed.2d 178 (1990). Harper does not apply to this case because the parties agree that Ms. Barzee is not gravely disabled and she is not a danger to herself or others while confined at the state hospital. Thus, we proceed with an analysis under Sell.