Charging a Patient with Assault of a Nurse on a Psychiatric Unit*

Abstract
A patient was successfully charged with assault of a nurse on a Psychiatric Unit and was placed on probation for one year. The judge found her guilty despite the location of the incident and her 20-year history of previous psychiatric treatment, including 14 hospitalizations. Following this confrontation, the patient improved markedly in her behaviour and has continued to lead a more productive life without hysterical outbursts. It is concluded that proceeding with legal charges in such a situation is justifiable and can also be therapeutic.

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