Citation

Monahan J, Shah SA. Schizophr. Bull. 1989; 15(4): 541-553.

Affiliation

NIMH, Rockville, MD 20857.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2696085

Abstract

This article describes recent developments in mental health laws in the United States, especially as they relate to uses of the concept of "dangerousness" in the civil and criminal commitment of the mentally ill. In addition to providing a brief overview of the U.S. legal system and noting the importance of the Rule of Law, we review the historical development and current status of the relevant laws, provide some basic epidemiological statistics, and refer to some of the considerable body of extant empirical research in the field.

Language: en