For my fourth-quarter project, I would like to delve deeper into the Insanity Defense. Many believe that it is often considered as a defense in violent crimes and it seems that there is a stigma against its use as a "way out" for violent criminals. I would like to get an accurate perspective on society's view on the insanity defense.
I believe the most effective way to do this would be by survey. I would like to gauge people's responses to the use of the insanity defense and try to determine what the layperson's understanding of the insanity defense is. I would like to have individuals look at a number of case summaries and record whether they believe the insanity defense would be appropriate in each case.
I am interested in researching this topic because I am fascinated by the role that social pressure plays on the defense tactics of accused criminals. I wonder if individuals, fearful of a stigma, refuse to use the insanity defense when it might be appropriate. I would like to uncover this stigma and try to understand the basis for it.
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