What constitutes insanity?
The dictionary of law defines insanity as “a mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality, cannot conduct her/his affairs due to psychosis, or is subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior. Insanity is distinguished from low intelligence or mental deficiency due to age or injury.”
Is insanity a defense to murder?
Insanity is distinguished from low intelligence or mental deficiency due to age or injury.” Insanity is often invoked as a defense when the crimes are severe or the death penalty is an expected outcome for any other defense.
How many insanity acquittals are there in the US?
Public estimates of the number of insanity acquittals are as high as 81 times the actual number. Furthermore, there appears to be no significant difference in length of time served for murder between incarcerated sane criminals and insane persons who were involuntarily committed.
What happens if a person is declared legally insane?
A person declared legally insane would not be subject to an identical set of consequences as a person who committed a crime in a clear cognitive state.
What is the insanity defense?
An insanity defense has an enormous impact on how the law is applied. A person declared legally insane would not be subject to an identical set of consequences as a person who committed a crime in a clear cognitive state.
What did Einstein say about insanity?
An oft-quoted bon mot (frequently attributed to Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, or a number of other people who probably never said it) is that insanity may be defined as “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” While the job of lexicographers might be easier if they were allowed to use witty sayings instead of
How common are insanity acquittals?
Some studies show this rate as being much lower — closer to 1 in 1000. Public estimates of the number of insanity acquittals are as high as 81 times the actual number.