Legal Definitions - involuntary

Definition: In law, "involuntary" means that a person did not have control or intent over their actions or circumstances.

For example:

• Involuntary acts: These are actions that happen automatically, without conscious control. Examples include reflexes or convulsions. If someone commits a crime due to an involuntary act, they may not be held responsible.
• Involuntary intoxication: This is when someone becomes intoxicated without intending to. For example, if they take prescription medication that unexpectedly causes intoxication, or if they are coerced into drinking alcohol. Involuntary intoxication may be a defense in criminal cases.
• Involuntary civil commitment: This is when someone is committed to a mental health unit against their will. This may happen if they are deemed a danger to themselves or others, even if they do not want to receive treatment.

These examples illustrate how "involuntary" refers to actions or circumstances that are beyond a person's control or intent. In each case, the person did not choose or plan to act in a certain way, but rather found themselves in a situation that they could not control.