What's Insanity Defense?

Summary

This video discusses the insanity defense, explaining key legal principles. It highlights the misconception that having a mental illness automatically makes a person legally insane. The speaker details the criteria for the insanity defense, focusing on the M'Naghten and American Law Institute (ALI) standards. These include cognitive impairments and the inability to understand the nature or wrongfulness of actions. Additionally, the ALI standard considers the inability to control actions despite knowing right from wrong. The video emphasizes careful evaluation of the defendant's mental state at the time of the crime and how it impacts legal responsibility.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The presence of a mental disorder does not automatically qualify someone for an insanity defense; it must be assessed under legal criteria.
• ⚖️ The insanity defense requires proving a severe mental defect that impacted the individual at the time of the crime, not before or after.
• 📜 The M'Naghten Rule, dating back to 1843, is a commonly used standard, stating the person must not understand the nature of their act or its wrongfulness due to a mental disorder.
• 🤔 The American Law Institute (ALI) standard adds that even if a person knows right from wrong, they may qualify for the defense if they lacked the ability to control their actions due to a mental disorder.
• 🩺 A diagnosable syndrome, recognized by medical professionals, is required to qualify for the insanity defense.
• 🔍 Evidence of planning, evading capture, or covering up the crime can indicate the person knew what they were doing, which may disqualify them from an insanity defense.
• 📉 People with mental illnesses are statistically more likely to be victims of crime rather than perpetrators.
• 🔄 Mental illness alone does not absolve someone of responsibility; they must prove their inability to control or understand their actions due to a specific mental disorder.
• 👨‍⚖️ Forensic psychology plays a key role in assessing responsibility, volition, and morality in the context of the insanity defense.
• 🌐 Different jurisdictions have varying standards for insanity defense, with some focusing purely on cognition and others including volition.

Q & A

What is a common misconception about the insanity defense?

A common misconception is that simply having a mental disorder, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, automatically means a person is insane. However, the mere presence of a mental disorder does not determine legal insanity.

What are the criteria for the insanity defense under the M'Naghten rule?

Under the M'Naghten rule, a person can be found not guilty by reason of insanity if, at the time of the crime, they were suffering from a mental illness that severely impaired their ability to understand the nature and quality of their act, or they did not understand that what they were doing was wrong.

What historical case led to the establishment of the M'Naghten criteria?

The M'Naghten criteria were established after Daniel M'Naghten attempted to assassinate the British Prime Minister in 1843. Although he failed to kill the Prime Minister and instead injured an undersecretary, he was found not sane at the time of the crime.

Why is it important to assess the defendant's mental state at the time of the crime?

It is crucial to assess the defendant's mental state at the time of the crime because their mental condition could have changed between the time of the offense and the trial. They may have been severely impaired during the crime but recovered later, or vice versa.

What does the M'Naghten rule require in terms of a mental disorder diagnosis?

The M'Naghten rule requires that the mental disorder be a recognized and diagnosable syndrome, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, diagnosed by a medical or psychological professional.

What is the American Law Institute (ALI) standard for insanity, and how does it differ from the M'Naghten rule?

The ALI standard states that a person may not be held responsible if, due to a mental defect, they did not understand the wrongfulness of their actions or were unable to control their behavior, even if they knew their actions were wrong. This adds a 'volitional prong,' considering the person's ability to control their actions, unlike the M'Naghten rule, which only focuses on cognitive understanding.

How does the legal system assess whether a person was capable of controlling their actions during a crime?

The legal system looks for evidence such as planning the crime, attempting to cover it up, or trying to evade capture. These actions indicate that the person knew what they were doing and understood it was wrong, suggesting they were in control of their actions.

Why is it incorrect to assume that all people with mental illnesses are dangerous?

It is incorrect because the rate of major crimes, including murder, committed by people with serious mental illness is only slightly higher than in the general population. In fact, people with mental illnesses are far more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators.

What are some rights that mentally unimpaired individuals over the age of 18 have in the United States?

Mentally unimpaired individuals over 18 have the right to consent to treatment, make contracts, buy and sell property, get married, get divorced, and raise children. These rights are generally assumed unless proven otherwise.

What responsibility does the law impose on individuals regarding their actions?

The law requires individuals to behave in accordance with societal rules and laws. If someone violates those laws by committing a crime, they must demonstrate why they should not be held responsible, such as through an insanity defense.