Table 1.

Sell Factors and Garcia Factors^a

Sell v. United States, 539 U.S. 166 (2003)¹⁶	State v. Garcia, 658 A.2d 947 (Conn. 1995)¹²^,^b
1. Important government interests at stake	5. Seriousness of alleged crime such that state’s interest overrides defendant’s interests
2a. Involuntary medication will significantly further those interests	1. Involuntary medication will render the defendant competent
2b. Side effects will not interfere with defendant’s ability to assist counsel	3. Proposed treatment plan narrowly tailored to minimize intrusion on defendant’s liberty and privacy interests (but no specific statement regarding side effects at trial)
3. Involuntary medication necessary to further government interests and alternative, less intrusive treatments are unlikely to achieve substantially similar results	2. Adjudication not possible with less intrusive means
4. Medication is medically appropriate (in defendant’s best medical interest)	3. Proposed treatment plan narrowly tailored (as above), and
	4. Proposed medication will not cause unreasonable risk to defendant’s health
	Other: Health Care Guardian to advise court regarding best medical interest if defendant is incapable of informed consent