Anticipation Guide: Is He or She Really Insane?

Place a + next to a statement that you agree with, an OK next to a statement that partially agree with, and a – next to a statement that you disagree with.

1. Insanity pleas should be used for individuals with a history of mental illness.
2. Insanity pleas are overused by people trying to get off easy.
3. Insanity pleas are most often used in murder cases.
4. People found insane should spend equal or more time in a psychiatric hospital than they would have spent in jail.
5. People worry that when a person suffering from a mental illness is released, that person will cause harm again.
6. In order to draw attention to the insanity plea process, someone famous would need to be involved.
7. The Constitution guarantees that every person has the right to an insanity plea throughout the nation.
8. Psychiatrists will present the same view of insanity during a trial.