Which of the following is an accurate statement in regard to public perception of the insanity defense?

a. The public understimates how often the insanity defense is used in criminal cases.

b. The public overestimates how often the insanity defense is successfully used in criminal cases.

c. The public overestimates the length of hospitalization of those who are found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI).

d. The public understimates how often people judged NGRI are set free.

Question

Social Studies

Twiggy

23 August, 00:01

Which of the following is an accurate statement in regard to public perception of the insanity defense?

a. The public understimates how often the insanity defense is used in criminal cases.

b. The public overestimates how often the insanity defense is successfully used in criminal cases.

c. The public overestimates the length of hospitalization of those who are found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI).

d. The public understimates how often people judged NGRI are set free.

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Answers (1)

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Sienna Strong · Answer 1

The correct answer is b. The public overestimates how often the insanity defense is successfully used in criminal cases.

In 1979, public opinion turned against the use of the insanity defense when it was used successfully to justify such behaviors as writing bad checks. Now, they made it more diifcult to use the insanity defense.