The Insanity Defense: The Case for Abolition

Irwin N. PerrAuthors Info & Affiliations

Publication: Psychiatric Services

Volume 36, Number 1

https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.36.1.51

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Abstract

The author discusses psychiatrists' objections to the insanity defense, including the negative publicity generated by murder trials in which psychiatrists provide expert testimony. He also examines the legal profession's attitudes toward the defense and the pressure applied to expert witnesses through our adversarial system of justice. The abolition of the insanity defense might expedite the legal process, the author concludes, but it would not greatly affect the courtroom role of psychiatrists. Psychiatric evaluation would still be required in certain cases, such as those involving diminished responsibility and competency to stand trial.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Psychiatric Services

Volume 36 • Number 1 • January 1985

Pages: 51 - 54

History

Published in print: January 1985

Published online: 1 April 2006

Authors

Affiliations

Irwin N. Perr

The Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers Medical School-University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854

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The Insanity Defense: The Case for Abolition

Abstract

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