In a society that often stigmatizes mental illness, it is crucial to champion its defense, especially in the legal world. By challenging misconceptions and fostering empathy, we can create a compassionate and inclusive environment for those affected by mental health conditions.
To begin with, what is the definition of a defense of mental illness? First and foremost, the defense of mental illness requires crucial proof by “clear and convincing evidence” that “at the time of the commission of the acts constituting the offense, the defendant, as a result of a severe mental disease or defect, was unable to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of his acts” (Cornell Law School). In other words, a reasonable doubt regarding the defendant’s lack of a guilty conscience and clear mind to differentiate right from wrong at the time of the incident must be created.
As mentioned previously, it is crucial to champion the defense of mental illness to promote justice and equity before the law. One of the primary preventative defenses of mental illness is challenging misconceptions. Education plays a pivotal role. By highlighting that mental illnesses are not character flaws or signs of weakness but legitimate medical conditions, we can help shift public perception. Developing this empathy is a powerful defense against the stigma surrounding mental illness. By encouraging individuals to listen without judgment and offering compassion, we can empower those with mental health conditions to seek help without shame and feel equally protected/heard in the court of law.
Nonetheless, there’s a crucial question we need to ask: how can we clearly mark the line between championing the defense of mental illness and making it a low-bar excuse?
For instance, if there’s an instance the accused chose to take the medications due to personal reasons and caused the death of another innocent person, should the law protect the perpetrator? In this hypothetical case, the accused might meet the bar of defense of mental illness since the defendant indeed didn’t know right from wrong. Yet, the accused chose not to have treatment even though there was a choice. In this instance, is it an abused use of the defense of mental illness to provide an excuse and cover up one’s crime? Food for thought…
To sum up, the defense of mental illness is an important law that protects the rights and shows understanding to the mentally ill; however, just like all the other laws, it bust be cautiously employed to avoid abuse.