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The American Psychiatric Association Insanity Rule—A Metaphysical Subtlety

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Criminal Court Consultation

Part of the book series: Critical Issues in American Psychiatry and the Law ((CIAP,volume 5))

Abstract

The acquittal of John W. Hinckley, Jr., by reason of insanity in June, 1982, although it aroused a public outcry against the exculpatory insanity rule and provoked widespread criticism of the psychiatric profession, did not further the drive for abolition of the insanity defense. On the contrary, the Hinckley verdict served as a stimulus for organizations and individuals that favored retention of the defense to graft the concept onto state and federal laws more firmly than ever before.

Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the ordinary rules of common sense. Their meaning is not to be sought for in metaphysical subtleties, which may make anything mean everything or nothing at pleasure. Thomas Jefferson

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA

    Abraham L. Halpern

  2. Department of Psychiatry, United Hospital Medical Center, Port Chester, NY, 10573, USA

    Abraham L. Halpern

Authors
  1. Abraham L. Halpern
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Richard Rosner M.D. (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, Medical Director) (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, Medical Director)

  2. American Board of Forensic Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA

    Richard Rosner M.D. (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, Medical Director) (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, Medical Director)

  3. Forensic Psychiatry Clinic for the New York Criminal and Supreme Courts (First Judicial Department), New York, NY, USA

    Richard Rosner M.D. (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, Medical Director) (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, Medical Director)

  4. Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Alcoholism Services of the City of New York, New York, NY, USA

    Richard Rosner M.D. (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, Medical Director) (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, Medical Director)

  5. Forensic Psychiatry Clinic for the New York Criminal and Supreme Courts (First Judicial Department), New York, NY, USA

    Ronnie B. Harmon M.A. (Administrative Director) (Administrative Director)

  6. Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services of the City of New York, New York, NY, USA

    Ronnie B. Harmon M.A. (Administrative Director) (Administrative Director)

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© 1989 Plenum Press, New York

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Halpern, A.L. (1989). The American Psychiatric Association Insanity Rule—A Metaphysical Subtlety. In: Rosner, R., Harmon, R.B. (eds) Criminal Court Consultation. Critical Issues in American Psychiatry and the Law, vol 5. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0739-6_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0739-6_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8058-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0739-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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