Insanity defense cases should be tried not by juries but by specially trained and credentialed judges. I have seen firsthand the debacle of naive and inexperienced judges struggling with complicated psychological testimony, ineptly charging juries, and generally remaining clueless throughout the proceedings. These judges should be given on-the-job training and assistance to become proficient in the application of psychological principles.
Dr. Barbara R. Kirwin, The Mad, the Bad, and the Innocent, 1997
Dr. Barbara R. Kirwin, The Mad, the Bad, and the Innocent, 1997
I agree with you that judges must be trained so that they will can judge the case in very neutral manner.
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