Legal Question in Criminal Law in Idaho

Jury Selection in Insanity defense cases

Do the jurors and judge who are selected in murder trails, whose defense is insanity, undergo any formal mental health training to accurately determine the outcome of the verdict?


Asked on 3/13/04, 10:32 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

robert nudelman criminal defense associates

Re: Jury Selection in Insanity defense cases

no

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Answered on 3/14/04, 12:36 pm
Michael Cherasia Attorney at Law

Re: Jury Selection in Insanity defense cases

Insanity is not a defense to the commission of a crime in Idaho.

However, Constitutionlly defendants must be mentally competent to stand trial: i.e. can the defendant comprehend the proceedings and assit council in their defense. The decision of competency is one made by the judge as a matter of law, usually based largely upon testimony of mental health professionals employed by both the defense and the prosecution as well as possibly appointed by the court.

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Answered on 3/14/04, 3:11 pm


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