New York Court of Appeals
In the Matter of Israel Kesselbrenner, as Director of the Manhattan State Hospital v. Anonymous, an Alleged…
November 21, 197333 N.Y.2d 161
Summary
The New York Court of Appeals held that section 85 of the former Mental Hygiene Law, which required civil, dangerously mentally ill patients to be committed to the correctional Matteawan State Hospital, violates the Due Process Clause because the confinement is not reasonably related to its therapeutic purpose. The Court reversed the Appellate Division’s order committing the patient to Matteawan and reinstated the lower court’s decision refusing the commitment. The Court also declined to reach the equal‑protection claim, finding it insufficiently pleaded.