California Supreme Court Rules Individuals Found To Be Insane Cannot Be Compelled to Testify in Court
On Monday, the California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that under the U.S. Constitution's 5th Amendment defendants accused of felonies and who are found to be insane cannot be compelled to testify. The ruling was made in the case of Charles Hudec, who prosecutors sought to compel to testify in a hearing to extend his stay at a state mental health hospital, where he was committed after being found not guilty by reason of insanity for murder.
- "California Court: 5th Amendment Applies in Mental Hearings" (Thanawala, AP/Contra Costa Times, 1/5).