Antisocial Personality Disorder

[wolf]

The M'Naughten Rule, or whether the individual suffers from such a defect of reason that they are unable to tell the difference between right and wrong is not the legal standard for insanity in all jurisdictions.

Insanity defenses are actually quite rare. Off the top of my head, it's used in less than 3% of cases, and is not usually successful.

[Pangloss62]

Much of the discourse about this issue presupposes all people agree as to what is "right" and what is "wrong." Even the most cursory overview of world culture will show that right and wrong are subjective. For some, let's say tradional Ethiopians, FGM is the correct and proper thing to practice. For some Afghanistanies, it is wholly correct for a 13-year-old girl to be the second bride of a 53-year-old man. Look at our own debates about mercy killing (murder?).

I'm not saying we should abandon the prosecution of "justice" because morality is subjective, but we should at least admit that is the case and come up with some universal criteria based upon the nature of the illegal act and its effect on the victim; yes, a more rational approach. Keep morals out of it.

[Trilby]

Originally Posted by wolf

Insanity defenses are actually quite rare. Off the top of my head, it's used in less than 3% of cases, and is not usually successful.

Ya know what's eff'ed up? In my piddly Dayton, Oh, State Hosp. I had two NGRI on my ward and we had three wards. NGRI is not so uncommon. What is common is public disinterest in the case. I had a woman who set fires in local McDonalds and then, when rescue personnel would arrive, would demand a "get-a-way car" and "a pair of black hose!"...McDonalds was NOT eager for the publicity a trial would engender and the woman was quietly committed. Plus, she was nuts.