lian003
Feb 12, 2012, 06:59 PM
I just learned pedophilia (aka child molesters) suffer from a mental disorder. Wouldn't that mean they would be excused from the criminal justice system with a plea of insanity?
AK lawyer
Feb 12, 2012, 07:17 PM
No. Insanity for legal purposes is quite different than it a mental disorder according to clinical practice. And, in either case, having a mental disorder does not necessarily mean one is insane.
Finally, if one is determined to be criminally insane, the criminal justice system will still incarcerate the offender, albeit in a different institution and for "treatment" rather than for punishment.
Fr_Chuck
Feb 12, 2012, 07:23 PM
No they do not meet the legal requirements for Insanity.