Can a Schizophrenic commit a crime, and realize the he/she has committed the crime and will be punished?

Answer 1

Yes, they can.

http://www.schizophrenia.com/family/FAQgen.htm#jail

Answer 2

Yes, the primary reason why a schizophrenic would be found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) is if they were unable to distinguish between right and wrong at the time of the crime. There are some schizophrenics that have good insight and can tell the difference between right and wrong.
However, some people may be so delusional that they may realize that they committed a crime, but may not recognize that it was wrong. These are the ones that are sometimes found NGRI. Then again, they can be delusional, commit a crime, and know that it is wrong and still be punished. That's the fine line that forensic psychologists have to determine.

Answer 3

Yes. I work with a Paranoid Schizophrenic who, with the aid of medication, is able to function in normal day-to-day activities. Even off his medication he knows wrong from right. He knows there are rules/laws that govern society and he knows that if people break the rules, there are consequences.

Answer 4

generally by the time a schizophrenic commits a crime (I don't think you mean stealing food, or being a pest) they are so far into a paranoid delusion that they don't know their butt from a hole in the ground

Answer 5

I would say yes .. but it would be situational.


if the crime was a part of their delusion.. then unless the meds start kicking in.. no.. but usually on the major issues.. killing people.. that sort of thing.. they hold the same values inside their paranoid delusions as the rest of us.

Answer 6

Yes I believe so. The question for the law would be to what extent did the condition mitigate guilt IMO.

Answer 7

No