NCJ Number
126255
Date Published
1991
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The changes in the insanity defense laws since John Hinckley, Jr.'s acquittal by reason of insanity are discussed.
Abstract
During the 5 years following the Hinckley verdict, lawmakers made more than 100 changes in the insanity defense laws. The sum total of these changes, however, has been negligible. The changes fall into the following categories: test of insanity, burden of proof, guilty but mentally ill, abolition of the insanity defense, and post acquittal commitment procedures. The conclusion that can be drawn from this 5-year study is that reforming the law does not generally reform the system. The criminal justice and mental health systems tend to adjust to each other, so that legal changes in one are compensated for by informal changes in the other. 5 notes and 28 references.