{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-24-531.09","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 24-531.09","heading":"Involuntary medication.","body":"(a)\nExcept as set forth in subsection (b) of this section, a defendant who is ordered to submit to a competence examination under § 24-531.03, or a defendant who is determined after a hearing to be incompetent and is ordered by the court to undergo treatment pursuant to § 24-531.05 or § 24-531.06, may not be administered medication involuntarily if the sole purpose for doing so would be to render the defendant competent. For any other purpose, the defendant may be administered medication without his or her consent consistent with § 7-1231.08, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.\n\n(b)\n(1)\nThe Court may order the involuntary administration of medication for the sole purpose of rendering the defendant competent only if:\n(A)\nIt orders the defendant to participate in treatment for restoration of competence pursuant to § 24-531.05; and\n(B)\nThe Court determines that the government’s interest in bringing the defendant to trial or proceeding with sentencing, probation revocation, or transfer outweighs the defendant’s interest in refusing medication to render him or her competent.\n(2)\nIn making the determination required by paragraph 1(B) of this subsection, the court must find that:\n(A)\nThe defendant has been charged with a dangerous crime or a crime of violence as those terms are defined in § 23-1331(3) and (4), respectively;\n(B)\nThe administration of medication is substantially likely to render the defendant competent;\n(C)\nThe administration of medication is substantially unlikely to have side effects that will significantly interfere with the defendant’s ability to assist counsel in conducting a defense;\n(D)\nInvoluntary medication is necessary to further the government’s interest because any less intrusive treatments alternatives are unlikely to render the defendant competent; and\n(E)\nThe administration of medication is medically appropriate.","path":["Title 24. Prisoners and Their Treatment.","Chapter 5A. Evaluation and Treatment of Incompetent Defendants."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/24-531.09","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"8a0943439d27b595020827f8823f48cbb10d1143320ca2295d2e7774ea791dc4","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-24-531.08","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-24-531.10"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}