What Does it Mean to be Criminally Insane

Summary

This video explores the controversial and complex nature of the insanity defense in criminal trials. It delves into the legal definitions of criminal insanity, explaining the criteria used to determine if someone is legally insane, such as the M’Naghten Test and the Brawner Rule. The script highlights famous cases where defendants pleaded insanity, including assassins of U.S. presidents, and discusses the challenges and changes to the insanity defense, especially after high-profile cases like John Hinckley Jr. It also explains the consequences of being found criminally insane and the difficulties in successfully using this defense.

Takeaways

• 😀 Criminal insanity means a person has a mental illness that prevents them from understanding their actions or knowing they are wrong when committing a crime.
• 😀 The insanity plea is divided into two categories: one where the person doesn’t know what they’re doing, and another where they know but don’t perceive it as morally wrong.
• 😀 To be considered criminally insane, the defendant must plead guilty but prove they were not culpable due to their mental illness.
• 😀 Legal insanity is determined by the court, not by psychologists, although their input is crucial in the analysis.
• 😀 The M’Naghten Test is commonly used in most states to assess if the defendant was mentally impaired at the time of the crime, focusing on whether they knew right from wrong.
• 😀 The Brawner Rule, used by about 20 states, examines whether the defendant lacked the capacity to understand the criminality of their actions due to a mental illness.
• 😀 The Durham Test, used only in New Hampshire, has a broader definition of criminal insanity and requires proving that the crime was a product of mental illness.
• 😀 In all cases, the burden of proof lies with the defendant to demonstrate that their mental illness made them unaware of the crime or morally impaired at the time of the offense.
• 😀 Famous criminal insanity cases include Richard Lawrence (1835), John Schrank (1912), John Hinckley Jr. (1981), Jeffrey Dahmer (1991), and Lorena Bobbitt (1994).
• 😀 Winning an insanity plea is rare and difficult due to stringent legal requirements, but those found criminally insane may be committed to mental health facilities instead of prison.

Q & A

What does it mean to be criminally insane?

Being criminally insane means that a person has a mental illness that makes it impossible for them to understand their actions or recognize that their actions are wrong when committing a crime.

What are the two categories for determining criminal insanity?

The two categories are: 1) The person’s mental illness makes them unaware of what they are doing, and 2) The person knew what they were doing but could not see it as morally wrong due to their mental illness.

Who determines whether someone is criminally insane?

The court, not psychologists, determines whether someone is criminally insane. While psychologists and medical professionals contribute to the analysis, the legal designation is given by the court.

What is the M’Naghten Test?

The M’Naghten Test is used to assess the defendant’s thought process and perceptions at the time of committing a crime. It determines whether the defendant was unable to understand the nature of their actions or recognize them as wrong due to mental illness.

How does the M’Naghten Test differ across states?

In some states, like Arizona, the M’Naghten Test is revised to allow for individuals who knew what they were doing but did not believe their actions were morally wrong due to mental illness to be considered criminally insane.

What is the Brawner Rule (American Law Institute Model)?

The Brawner Rule is used in about 20 states and determines whether the defendant, at the time of committing the crime, lacked the capacity to appreciate the criminality of their actions due to mental illness. It excludes crimes committed repeatedly by the defendant due to a mental illness.

What is the Durham Test, and how is it different from other tests?

The Durham Test, used only in New Hampshire, requires the defense to prove that the criminal act was a product of mental illness. It is broader and requires less proof than other tests, making it easier for the defense to argue criminal insanity.

What role does the defendant play in proving criminal insanity?

The defendant has the burden of proof in insanity pleas, meaning they must prove that their mental illness caused them to be unaware of committing a crime or unable to recognize it as wrong at the time of the crime.

What impact did John Hinckley Jr.’s case have on the insanity defense?

John Hinckley Jr.’s successful insanity plea led to public outrage and the creation of the Insanity Defense Reform Law of 1984, which made it harder to plead criminal insanity by establishing stricter criteria.

How does the law handle individuals found criminally insane?

If someone is found criminally insane, they are usually committed to a mental institution unless the court finds they do not pose a substantial risk to others. If deemed safe, they may be released back into society. If not, they may remain in a mental facility for life.