As a student, trainee, or mental health practitioner, one may already have some inclination that understanding the law matters in the practice of psychiatry. But what is it exactly that makes the law so important? And why in psychiatry in particular ?State and federal laws have a signifcant impact on the practice of medicine. The practice of psychiatry is particularly affected as it is the most heavily legally regulated of all medical specialties . The reason is relatively simple: far more than any other medical discipline, the law grants psychiatrists the ability to deprive people of their civil liberties. Psychiatrists may force interventions on patients against their will—including hospitalization, medication, or even electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Further, in a variety of settings, psychiatrists are tasked with determining whether patients lack the capacity to make certain decisions for themselves —including decisions related to medical care, fnances, and estate planning—and are in need of surrogate decision-makers. In some states, any physician may enact such privileges; however, in practice, psychiatrists are most often called upon to make these determinations . Thus, the privilege to override individuals’ rights to autonomy is subject to careful legal oversight and protections. So how does the law impact the practice of psychiatry? State and federal laws delineate the limited circumstances within which psychiatrists may deprive patients of their civil liberties. Patient autonomy is generally protected except in cases involving serious concerns about safety or well- being.