State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Hetra Lee Fields, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that persons acquitted by reason of insanity (NGI committees) are entitled to automatic periodic judicial review of their commitment and that the State bears the ultimate burden of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, to justify continued restraints at each review. The Court reversed the lower court’s order and remanded for further proceedings consistent with these principles.