Insanity Defense Research Paper

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Abstract This paper examines the complex issue of the insanity defense, a crucial yet divisive component of criminal law, from the perspectives of both the general public and the law itself. The insanity defense has been a part of legal systems across the globe for a long time, but its consequences for justice, ethics, and mental health awareness are still up for debate. This study uses a mixed-methods approach to close the gap between public perceptions and the real details of the insanity defense as presented in recent academic debate. It does this by combining an in-depth literature review with a survey of 28 participants. The survey indicates that while the public acknowledges that mental illness may influence one's criminal guilt, they …show more content…
To simplify the insanity defense and promote a more knowledgeable and compassionate debate about mental health in the legal setting, this paper emphasizes the vital need for increased public education and understanding. This study adds to the present debate about the insanity defense by emphasizing how important it is to match laws with current ideas of mental health and to push for changes that represent a fair, considerate, and knowledgeable approach to criminal law.

Introduction The insanity defense becomes a central topic of long-running dispute and public opinion in the complicated connection between mental health and criminal law. The insanity defense, a legal strategy that is used in legal systems that states that a defendant was not responsible for their actions due to a mental disability at the time of the crime, has roots in centuries-old legal traditions. Continuously evolving, it reflects advances in psychiatric knowledge. This defense embodies the conflict between society's expectations for justice and the humane treatment of those who suffer from mental illness. This research study explores the structure of common perceptions, legal …show more content…
The burden of proof often rests with the defense, which must present convincing proof that the defendant had a mental illness at the time of the crime that significantly impacted their ability to make decisions or grasp the reality (Math, Kumar, & Moirangthem, 2015). This may require in-depth mental examinations as well as regularly conflicting expert testimony, which may confuse juries and result in inconsistent verdicts. Additionally, the way the public views mental health disorders and the stigma associated with them might affect how trials using the insanity defense turn out. Despite the convincing nature of certain cases where mental illness is a substantial influence in the crimes, all these factors contribute to the small number of successful insanity pleas (Appelbaum, 2022). Moreover, a thorough analysis of Virginia's insanity evaluations reveals quite a bit of range in the reports' findings, highlighting the procedural difficulties and possibility of different interpretations of cases that are otherwise identical (Gardner, Murrie, & Torres, 2018). This variation often throws off the consistency of outcomes and calls into question the ability of the legal system to fairly judge defendants who rely on the insanity defense. The Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice published a study by Kivisto and Swan (2011) which demonstrates how
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