Supreme Court of Connecticut

State of Connecticut v. Christopher Seekins

December 7, 2010299 Conn. 141

Summary

The court affirmed an order authorizing involuntary medication to restore the defendant’s competency to stand trial. It held that the seriousness of the charged offenses is measured principally by the penalties prescribed by the legislature and that the defendant’s drug-manufacturing and distribution charges were serious despite being nonviolent and involving marijuana. The court also concluded that the defendant’s confinement and other asserted special circumstances did not sufficiently diminish the state’s interest in prosecuting him.