co
mmi
ttal
Plural
committals
1
the formal act of sending a person to a mental health facility, prison, or similar institution, often following legal proceedings
- The judge issued a committal order, directing the transfer of the defendant to a psychiatric facility for further evaluation.
- Following the trial, the court ruled on the committal of the convicted felon to a maximum-security prison.
- The mental health professional recommended the committal of the patient to a psychiatric hospital due to concerns about their well-being.
- The defense attorney sought to prevent the committal of their client, arguing for alternative sentencing options such as probation.
- The committal proceedings were marked by emotional testimony as family members pleaded for leniency in sentencing.
Synonyms: