L33 Psych 354 Chapter Notes - Chapter 18: Parens Patriae, Irresistible Impulse, Insanity Defense
Document Summary
Legal definition of insanity is not the same as the psychological definition of mental illness. One conflict between mental health and the law concern the role of expert witnesses, specialists allowed to testify about matters of opinion (not just fact) that lie within their area of expertise. Experts can and do interpret the same information in different ways. Lawyers shop for friendly experts who have a history of interpreting evidence in a way that helps their case. Shopping for experts shows how legal system and science differ in defining truth . Lawyers are duty-bound to provide most convincing evidence for their case, not the most objective case. Often said that law is more concerned with justice than truth. One potential solution would be for the court to appoint neutral experts. Criminal law assumes that human behavior is the product of free will, the capacity to make choices and freely act on them.
