Can an accused on a fitness assessment order be forced to take medication or treatment?
No, not unless they agree to it.
However, they may be offered the option of taking medication and/or treatment during the time of their assessment.
People often mistakenly believe that an accused with mental health issues can be ordered by a judge to be treated against their will. However, only accused persons who have been found to be “unfit to stand trial” after a fitness hearing, and are then subject to a treatment order can be treated against their will.