NCJ Number
91008
Date Published
1982
Length
600 pages
Annotation
The testimony is directed to Federal bills to amend Title 18 to modify the insanity defense.
Abstract
The opening statement by the committee chairman reviews the history of the insanity defense to provide a context for the succeeding testimony. Testimony is presented by sponsors of various bills to limit the insanity defense, and the Attorney General testifies in support of the approach of Title VII of S. 2572. This bill provides for civilly committing defendants who are dangerously disturbed and who are, for one reason or another, not convicted. The Attorney General notes that currently, other than in the District of Columbia, there is no Federal statute authorizing or compelling the commitment of an acquitted but currently dangerous and insane person. S. 2572 would further effectively eliminate the insanity defense except in those rare cases in which the defendant lacked the state of mind required as an element of the offense. Other testimony is presented by representatives of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the National Association of Attorneys General, and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Individual testimony is offered by judges, psychiatrists, and State attorneys general. Testimony is also given by representatives of various associations from the fields of psychiatry and psychology. The texts of the proposed legislation are appended, and various exhibits are provided. For published articles included, see NCJ-45688, 74719, and 91009-10.