People v. R.C.

The State filed a petition seeking involuntary medication of Randall C. On a date set for trial, this troubled respondent asked for appointment of an independent expert. The trial court, deciding that the request was made for the purpose of delaying the trial, denied the request. The question we must answer is whether the trial court had discretion to deny the request for appointment. We conclude it did not.

Following a jury trial pursuant to a petition seeking involuntary medication of respondent, a patient at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center (Chicago-Read), the jury found respondent subject…