You are a psychologist hired by the defense in a case involving the issue of not guilty by reason of insanity. Based on changes resulting from the Hinckley case and the Defense Reform Act of 1984 it is likely that the thrust of your testimony would be in support of the defendant's

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Hinckley case and the Defense Reform Act of 1984 changed the criteria for the insanity defense to require that the defendant not only had a mental illness at the time of the offense but also that the illness prevented them from appreciating the nature and quality or wrongfulness of their behavior. Therefore, the thrust of the testimony would likely be to support the defendant's inability to appreciate the nature and quality or wrongfulness of her behavior due to her mental illness.

You Are a Psychologist Hired by the Defense in a Case