PSYCHIATRY AND CHANGING CONCEPTS OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY

• NCJ Number: 5936
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 31 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1967) Pages: 45-50
• Author(s): J ROBITSCHER
• Date Published: 1967
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE LIBERALIZATION OF THE RULES FOR MENTAL INSANITY AND OF THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF BOTH ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDITION.

Abstract

AS A PSYCHIATRIST AND ATTORNEY, THE AUTHOR FEELS THAT THE KNOWLEDGE, TECHNIQUES, AND MANPOWER ARE SUFFICIENT TO MAKE THE PSYCHIATRIC DETERMINATIONS WHICH ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED OR TO TREAT ADEQUATELY INDIVIDUALS FORMERLY CLASSIFIED AS CRIMINALS. ADDITIONALLY, HE FEARS THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS, WHO UNDER CRIMINAL STATUTES MIGHT BE FOUND INNOCENT, GIVEN PROBATION, OR IMPRISONED BRIEFLY, WILL REMAIN INSTITUTIONALIZED INDEFINITELY THROUGH INVOLUNTARY CIVIL COMMITMENT. IN DETERMINING CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ADDICTION, EXISTING RULES ARE SEEN AS BEING INADEQUATE IF BOTH SOCIETY AND THE SICK OFFENDER ARE TO BE PROTECTED.