¶ … Insanity' Defense
The John Hinckley Trial and the Impact on the Insanity Defense
Purpose of Insanity Defense
The theory that suffices the insanity defense involves the norm that most individuals can choose to follow the law. However, mental instability deprives individuals the ability to make rationale choices thereby they cannot be held accountable for their actions. Such groups of persons require special treatment as opposed to detention in prisons. The use of various forms of punishment does not necessarily deter future antisocial conduct of such mental unstable individuals. In the ancient Roman society, legal codes distinguished between the sane and insane individuals depicting accountability and unaccountability of actions respectively.
The Aftermath of the John Hinckley Defense
Backlash and Reform
In the John Hinckley case, the jury found the accused not guilty by the reason of insanity. As a result, backlash and public outcry emanated following the ruling. The ruling following the accused attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan raised eyebrows, and it stunned the majority of the Americans. After the Hinckley's verdict, insanity reforms amounting to eighty percent occurred between 1978 and 1990 (Linder, 2008). The reforms targeted limiting the use of insanity as a defense approach.
In the...
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