The Insanity Defense the World Over

The Defense of Insanity, The World Over is the tenth in a series of books that examines social issues or social problems from an explicitly comparative perspective. This volume compares the criteria and procedures surrounding the defense of insanity across twenty-two countries. In addition to the criteria for each of the countries, Rita J. Simon and Heather Ahn-Redding report the burden of proof; whether this burden is on the side of the defense or the prosecution; the degree, beyond a reasonable doubt or by a preponderance of the evidence; the form the verdict takes; who typically decides-a judge or a jury; what role experts play in the proceedings; and what happens to the defendant if he or she is found not guilty by reason of insanity. The Defense of Insanity, The World Over provides a history of the defense of insanity going as far back as ancient Greek and Roman societies, including the development of the defense in modern legal codes beginning with the British criteria in 1265. This one-of-a-kind study also looks at how the defense of insanity is treated in Jewish and Islamic law. Simon and Ahn-Redding have crafted an expert study that will appeal to scholars of sociology, criminal justice, and international studies. Book jacket.

Rita J. Simon is a university professor in the School of Public Affairs and the Washington College of Law at American University Heather Ahn-Redding is an assistant professor at Elon University. She is also the author of The Crimes Women Commit, The Punishments They Receive