The Insanity Defense

The Insanity Defense should prove to be a valuable tool for policymakers, a practical and useful work for criminal justice practitioners, students, and anyone who seeks to better understand the debate on controversial issues concerning the defense and important changes that have taken place on federal and state levels. Judge Barrington D. Parker, United States District Court for the District of Columbia

No area of criminal law has been the subject of more controversy than the insanity defense. The authors describe the various movements that have been used to abolish the insanity defense, as well as assess the use and interpretation of the defense in other nations.

No area of criminal law has been the subject of more controversy than the insanity defense. The Insanity Defense is a clear assessment of this issue as it exists in the 1980s. It provides the reader with a basis for understanding and evaluating the legislative and judicial responses to the factors that have stirred this controversy. Because extremely complex issues are involved in the effort to formulate an insanity defense, Simon and Aaronson begin with a detailed historical overview. They discuss the necessity of expert witnesses in the actual trial and probe into the jury's role and responsibility. The authors describe the various movements that have been used to abolish the insanity defense, as well as assess the use and interpretation of the defense in other nations.