2007-06-12 08:53:52 · 11 answers · asked by Brooke D 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No - there is a true difference between a person who killed someone because they thought it out and did it - they knew it was wrong and did it anyway, and a person who killed someone because they have no idea what right and wrong is.
2007-06-12 09:02:06 · answer #1 · answered by the_hilton 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. We shouldn't. There are legal and medical definitions that make it virtually impossible for someone to fake it. Meanwhile, people who really ARE insane need treatment and special conditions. If you are insane and you do not know what you are doing, then it is a legitimate defense. It is not like they are just let go or something. So there simply is no need to abolish insanity defenses.
2007-06-12 16:03:43 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, there are occasions where this defense is acceptable. It should only be allowed under very stringent conditions. There must be a proven mental disability or disease to allow such a defense.
2007-06-12 15:57:50 · answer #3 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. There are people with genuine mental disorders, who aren't capable of functioning on their own, that need to go to places for help. If they go to prison, it would endanger the lives of themselves, their peer prisoners, and the guards.
2007-06-12 16:00:58 · answer #4 · answered by Take it from Toby 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, some people aren't sane. Theres no way around that. Not to mention, its a really good defence when you have nothing else.
2007-06-12 16:01:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. There are certainly cases where a defendant is so mentally unbalanced that he cannot be said to have intentionally done something.
2007-06-12 16:01:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course not. And it's not up to you or me; this is a protective measure handed down and followed for hundreds of years.
2007-06-12 16:02:11 · answer #7 · answered by Enchanted 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES, isnt it obvious that anyone who commits a heinous crime is insane.
Why should mental illness excuse them from the law?
2007-06-12 15:58:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hasn't it been replaced with "guilty by reason of insanity.?
2007-06-12 15:58:21 · answer #9 · answered by TedEx 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It should be kept in place, but -with a catch. Anyone who uses it must be sterilized by removal of testes or ovaries.
2007-06-12 15:59:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋