Medical Jurisprudence Commons^™

Legal Representation Of The Mentally Ill, James R. Elkins

West Virginia Law Review

The "rights revolution," sparked by the United States Supreme Court under the leadership of former Chief Justice Earl Warren, has abated as the Court modifies and in some instances emasculates the constitutional rights afforded criminal defendants. While the Supreme Court assumes a more “moderate" position regarding the rights of criminal defendants and takes a closer look at due process decisions generally, the "rights revolution" has had substantial spillover effect in the case of individuals confined involuntarily in mental institutions. The courts, especially federal courts, have recognized the constitutional basis of procedural and substantive safeguards for individuals subject to commitment in …