The government can forcibly medicate a person so that person will be competent to stand trial if such treatment is medically appropriate, is unlikely to have side effects that may undermine the trial's fairness, and is necessary to further important governmental trial-related interests, taking into account any possible less intrusive measures.

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The U.S. Supreme Court case Sell v. United States (2003) established that the government can forcibly medicate a defendant to ensure competency for trial under specific conditions, including medical appropriateness, minimal side effects, and necessity for important governmental interests.

The Government Can Forcibly Medicate a Person So That Person