Insanity defense deals with a division of the assumption of insanity which describes the degree at which people accused of committing a crime might be excused of the responsibility of the crime because of their mental illness. The conditions of this kind of defense are based on the instructions which are presented to the jury by the trial judge at the closing of the case. The instruction on mental conditions can be based on any of the many rules which are used to determine mental illness. The last decision on mental illness depends fully on the jury which uses the information given from the testimony of a professional’ witness, normally expert in the psychology filed (Williams, 2006). The final result of such decision puts the person where he should be accordingly, can be in the mental institution, in jail, or direct release. Owing to these above mentioned aspects there are various problems which have been raised by the presence of insanity defense. In general I believe that people suffering from Schizophrenics should not be allowed to plead innocent on the basis of their condition, owing to the above factors and other which I am going to outline in details
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Analyzing Insanity
- The M'Naghten Rule
- Schizophrenic and Criminal Acts
- What Must Be Done to Attest a Relationship Involving Schizophrenia and Criminology?
- The Myth of Schizophrenia Illness
- Effectiveness of Insanity Defense
Objectives and Key Themes
This text examines the complexities of using the insanity defense, specifically focusing on whether individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia should be permitted to plead insanity for crimes committed. The analysis explores the legal and scientific controversies surrounding the definition of insanity, the limitations of current assessment methods like the M'Naghten Rule, and the lack of a clear causal link between schizophrenia and criminal behavior.
- The legal definition of insanity versus its medical understanding.
- The effectiveness and limitations of the M'Naghten Rule in assessing mental capacity.
- The debate surrounding the existence and causal relationship between schizophrenia and criminal acts.
- The challenges of establishing a clear link between mental illness and criminal behavior.
- The implications of allowing the insanity plea for individuals with schizophrenia within the legal system.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central question of whether individuals with schizophrenia should be allowed to plead insanity as a defense for criminal acts. It highlights the complexities of the insanity defense, emphasizing the discrepancies between legal and medical definitions of insanity, and the challenges of applying theoretical concepts to legal frameworks. The chapter sets the stage for a critical analysis of the issue.
Analyzing Insanity: This chapter delves into the core concept of *mens rea*—the mental element required for a criminal act. It discusses how the assessment of *mens rea* is crucial in determining criminal responsibility and explores the use of various psychological rules, such as the M'Naghten Rule, in evaluating mental capacity within the legal context. The chapter lays the groundwork for the subsequent discussions on the limitations of these assessment methods.
The M'Naghten Rule: This chapter provides a detailed examination of the M'Naghten Rule, a well-known legal test for insanity. It outlines the rule's criteria, its historical origins, and the criticisms it has received from legal and medical experts. The chapter highlights the shortcomings of the rule in accurately assessing mental illness and its reliance on a narrow view of human psychology, emphasizing the integrated nature of human personality rather than the compartmentalization of reason, emotion, and volition.
Schizophrenic and Criminal Acts: This chapter explores the relationship—or lack thereof—between schizophrenia and criminal behavior. It emphasizes the lack of a causal relationship between the two, highlighting that the co-existence of these behaviors does not imply a causal link. It draws an analogy to unrelated characteristics like being religious and committing a crime, emphasizing that having a mental illness doesn't automatically lead to criminal action.
What Must Be Done to Attest a Relationship Involving Schizophrenia and Criminology?: This chapter delves into the need for establishing an independent relationship between schizophrenia and criminal behavior, suggesting a potential biological basis. It discusses the biological psychiatric viewpoint, which postulates a link between brain malfunction and both schizophrenia and criminal behavior. However, it also highlights the challenges in proving such a connection due to the complexities of mapping brain function and determining causality.
The Myth of Schizophrenia Illness: This chapter addresses the controversy surrounding the very existence of mental illness, introducing the viewpoint that mental illness is a social construct rather than a purely biological phenomenon. It explores the arguments of scholars who consider mental illness a "myth," used to control and label individuals. This chapter underscores the uncertainties and debates surrounding the classification and understanding of schizophrenia itself.
Keywords
Insanity defense, schizophrenia, mens rea, M'Naghten Rule, criminal responsibility, mental illness, legal vs. medical definitions, causal relationship, biological psychiatry, social construction of mental illness.
Frequently Asked Questions: Insanity Defense and Schizophrenia
What is the main topic of this text?
This text comprehensively examines the complexities of the insanity defense, particularly focusing on whether individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia should be allowed to plead insanity for crimes they have committed. It explores the legal and scientific controversies surrounding the definition of insanity, the limitations of current assessment methods, and the lack of a clear causal link between schizophrenia and criminal behavior.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the discrepancies between legal and medical definitions of insanity, the effectiveness and limitations of the M'Naghten Rule, the debate surrounding the causal relationship (or lack thereof) between schizophrenia and criminal acts, the challenges of establishing a clear link between mental illness and criminal behavior, and the implications of allowing the insanity plea for individuals with schizophrenia within the legal system.
What is the M'Naghten Rule, and what are its limitations?
The M'Naghten Rule is a well-known legal test for insanity. The text details its criteria, historical origins, and criticisms. Its limitations include its inaccuracy in assessing mental illness and its reliance on a narrow view of human psychology, failing to account for the integrated nature of human personality.
Does the text establish a causal link between schizophrenia and criminal behavior?
No. The text emphasizes the lack of a causal relationship between schizophrenia and criminal behavior. It argues that the co-existence of these two does not imply a causal link, drawing analogies to unrelated characteristics to illustrate this point.
What are the different perspectives on the nature of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, discussed in the text?
The text explores both biological and social perspectives on mental illness. The biological perspective posits a potential link between brain malfunction and both schizophrenia and criminal behavior. Conversely, a social constructionist perspective questions the very existence of mental illness as a purely biological phenomenon, suggesting it may be a social construct used for control and labeling.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the text?
The text provides summaries for each chapter, outlining the key arguments and discussions within each section, starting with an introduction to the central question, followed by a deeper dive into the concept of *mens rea*, a detailed examination of the M'Naghten Rule, an exploration of the relationship between schizophrenia and criminal acts, a discussion on the need for establishing an independent relationship between the two, and finally, a critical analysis of the social construction of mental illness.
What are the main objectives of this text?
The text aims to critically analyze the use of the insanity defense in cases involving individuals with schizophrenia. It seeks to illuminate the legal and scientific complexities surrounding this issue, highlighting the challenges of applying theoretical concepts to legal frameworks and the need for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between mental illness and criminal behavior.
What keywords are associated with this text?
Keywords include: Insanity defense, schizophrenia, *mens rea*, M'Naghten Rule, criminal responsibility, mental illness, legal vs. medical definitions, causal relationship, biological psychiatry, social construction of mental illness.
- Quote paper
- Ellen Garcia (Author), 2011, Should Schizophrenics be allowed to plead insanity to crimes?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/271687
