Question 1

A man killed another man with whom he was fighting. At his trial he claimed that he did not know what he was doing because he was drunk. Under which "insanity" standard might he be found not guilty by reason of insanity?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A man killed another man with whom...

Question 2

If someone is interested in pursuing a career in a field that combined mental health and the legal and judicial systems, you should direct that person toward:

Accepted Answer

Forensic psychology is the field that combines the study of psychology with the law, making it the most relevant choice for someone interested in a career that merges mental health with the legal and judicial systems.

Question 3

A person who has been criminally committed has been:

Accepted Answer

Criminal commitment refers to the process where an individual accused of a crime is sent to a psychiatric institution for mental health treatment, often because they are deemed not competent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity.

Question 4

Courts ask for mental health professionals to help determine if defendants are:

Accepted Answer

Mental health professionals are asked to determine if a defendant is responsible for the crimes they commit and if they are capable of defending themselves in court. This helps the court make more informed decisions about the appropriate legal proceedings and potential consequences for the defendant.

Question 5

Defendants who are judged mentally unstable at the time when they are said to have committed the crimes are MOST likely to:

Accepted Answer

If defendants are judged mentally unstable at the time of their crimes, they may be found not guilty by reason of insanity. This means that they could be committed to a mental health institute instead of serving time in prison, with the hope that they will receive treatment and rehabilitation. Faking an illness in order to evade punishment is not a common phenomenon, and refusing mental health professional's guidance may hinder the legal proceedings.

Question 6

In using the insanity plea, the burden of proof to prove insanity rests with the:

Accepted Answer

The burden of proof to prove insanity rests with the defendant because they are the ones utilizing the insanity plea as a defense. It is up to the defendant and their legal team to provide evidence and convince the court that they were not mentally capable of understanding the nature and consequences of their actions at the time of the crime. The court may appoint their own experts to evaluate the defendant's mental state, but ultimately it is the defendant's responsibility to prove their own insanity.

Question 7

If a person accused of a crime is found not guilty by reason of insanity, he or she is committed to a psychiatric facility for treatment. This is called:

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a person accused of a crime...

Question 8

"I can't help myself. I had to do it," would likely be a successful insanity defense:

Accepted Answer

The answer of "I can't help myself. I had to...

Question 9

Who makes the final decision as to whether a person may be tried by the judicial system?

Accepted Answer

The courts are responsible for making the final decision as to whether a person may be tried by the judicial system. This decision is usually based on evidence presented by the prosecution and defense, and takes into account legal and constitutional principles such as due process and the presumption of innocence. While mental health professionals may be consulted as part of the legal process, they do not have ultimate authority over whether a person is tried in court.

Question 10

The definition of "insanity" used in legal cases is written by:

Accepted Answer

The definition of insanity used in legal cases is typically written by legislators, as it is a legal standard rather than a medical diagnosis.

Question 11

A man got into a fight and killed his opponent. When he went to trial, he had a mental breakdown, did not know where he was, and was unable to answer questions. He is likely to be sent to a mental institution because:

Accepted Answer

The man's inability to understand the trial proceedings or participate in his defense due to mental instability at the time of the trial is a key reason for possibly being sent to a mental institution, as it indicates he may not be competent to stand trial.

Question 12

The version of the insanity defense that declares that a person cannot be held responsible for his or her actions if those actions were the result of mental disease or mental defect is called the:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The version of the insanity defense that...

Question 13

Which person would never have to stand trial for a crime he or she might have committed?

Accepted Answer

If someone is judged not guilty by reason of insanity, they are not considered responsible for their actions due to their mental illness. Therefore, they cannot be held accountable and will not stand trial.

Question 14

A man killed a stranger in a fit of rage when he heard voices telling him that the stranger was about to destroy the Earth and must be stopped. The killer is likely to be sent to a mental institution because:

Accepted Answer

The killer's actions indicate that he was mentally unstable at the time of the crime, and therefore may be considered not fully responsible for his actions. This could lead to him being sent to a mental institution for treatment rather than serving time in prison.

Question 15

If a court decides that a defendant is mentally unstable, the defendant will:

Accepted Answer

If a court decides that a defendant is mentally unstable, they will not be punished in the usual way, but may be committed to a mental hospital for treatment until they are deemed safe to be released. However, if treatment is deemed ineffective and the defendant is deemed to pose a serious threat to society, they may be committed for the rest of their life. So, option B is the correct choice.

Question 16

A man beat another man nearly to death. In court the assailant claimed that he was forced to do what he did. He just exploded and was not in control of himself. Under which "insanity" standard might he be found not guilty by reason of insanity?

Accepted Answer

The description of the assailant's lack of control and explosion suggests that he might meet the criteria for the irresistible impulse test. This test holds that a defendant is not guilty by reason of insanity if he was unable to control his actions due to a mental disease or defect, even if he knew that what he was doing was wrong.

Question 17

The Durham test judges a person not to be criminally responsible if he or she has:

Accepted Answer

The Durham test, also known as the "product test," determines criminal responsibility based on whether the defendant's unlawful act was the product of a mental disease or defect.

Question 18

"I'm sorry I did that. I didn't know it was wrong," is MOST consistent with the:

Accepted Answer

The answer of "I'm sorry I did that. I didn't...

Question 19

What must be true before a person may be tried for a crime and potentially found guilty?

Accepted Answer

Before a person may be tried for a crime and potentially found guilty, it is required that the person is capable of helping to defend himself or herself in court. This means that the person should understand the charges against them and should be able to assist their attorney in their defense. It is not necessary for the person to be a citizen of the United States, have normal intelligence, or not act in a bizarre way in court.

Question 20

Defendants who are actively hallucinating and experiencing delusions during the time of their trials are MOST likely to be:

Accepted Answer

Defendants who are unable to understand the proceedings or assist in their defense due to mental illness are typically committed for treatment until they are competent to stand trial.

Quiz 19: Law, Society, and the Mental Health Profession