S. T. v. Washington Department of Social and Health Services
DueProcess FirstAmendment CriminalProcedure Privacy
Can a state agency require participation in mental health evaluation and treatment to qualify for public benefits when those diagnoses limit constitutional rights?
QUESTION(S) PRESENTED . L Can a state agency require participation in mental health evaluation and treatment in order to qualify for public benefits when those mental health diagnoses are used to limit the constitutional rights of individuals (for example, used against the individual in a court case)? Do mental health laws violate the constitutional rights of individuals without cause? Il. Does allowing the courts to choose if individuals can seal their court case (or otherwise protect their identity) violate the First Amendment right of victims of domestic violence and stalking to petition the government for a redress of grievances? III. Is it constitutional to not provide an attorney to an individual whose constitutional rights have been violated by the government or a state or federal agency? 'y t 1 t .