What is a Mandatory Treatment Order?
A Mandatory Treatment Order is a type of Community Order.
The purpose of a Mandatory Treatment Order is to allow the accused, who is suffering from a psychiatric condition, to obtain the required treatment for his condition. The court can order that the accused who is given a Mandatory Treatment Order be required to seek psychiatric treatment for up to 24 months.
An accused person who is convicted of an offence can be granted a Mandatory Treatment Order in lieu of any sentence of imprisonment, caning, and fine which the court may impose for that offence.
Who is eligible for a Mandatory Treatment Order?
For an accused to be eligible for a Mandatory Treatment Order, the court-appointed psychiatrist who will examine the accused must be convinced of the following:
That the accused is suffering from a psychiatric condition that can be treated;
That the accused is suitable for treatment; and
The psychiatric condition of the accused is one of the contributing factors for the accused committing the offence.
Please note that the conditions above are cumulative. If even one of the conditions is not satisfied, the accused will not be suitable for the Mandatory Treatment Order.
