1. An agreement to do something in the future, esp. to assume a financial obligation (the shipper made a firm commitment to deliver the goods).
2. The act of entrusting or giving in charge (commitment of money to the bank).
3. The act of confining a person in a prison, mental hospital, or other institution (commitment of the felon to prison). [Cases: Mental Health 31–37; Sentencing and Punishment 462, 463. C.J.S. Insane Persons §§ 45–47, 49–54, 57, 60–64, 66, 70.]
4. The order directing an officer to take a person to a penal or mental institution; MITTIMUS(1) (the judge signed the commitment after ruling that it was in the best interest of the troubled teen).
civil commitment. See CIVIL COMMITMENT(1).
diagnostic commitment. Pretrial or presentencing confinement of an individual, usu. to determine the individual’s competency to stand trial or to determine the appropriate sentence to be rendered.
discretionary commitment. A commitment that a judge may or may not grant, depending on whether the gov-ernment has proved — usu. by clear and convincing evidence — that the commitment is necessary for the well-being of the defendant or society (as when the defendant is insane and dangerous). • Most states allow discretionary commitment.
mandatory commitment. An automatically required commitment for a defendant found not guilty by reason of insanity. • This type of commitment is required under federal law, but in only a minority of states.
new court commitment. The confinement in prison of a person who is being admitted on a new conviction — that is, someone who is not being returned to prison for a parole violation.
voluntary commitment. A commitment of a person who is ill, incompetent, drug-addicted, or the like, upon the request or with the consent of the person being committed.
