Psychology 2990A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Paul Bernardo, Robert Pickton, Executive Functions
23 Oct 2017
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Psych and the law chap. 2: forensic psych in police investigation. Fitness to stand trial and mental state at the time of offence. How do we know they fit: legal standard for determine fitness, prior to 1836: ability to entry a plea . If so, can use torture to extract a plea. Mute by visitation of god (e. g. , deaf, mute insane) If so, person should not be tried: r. v. Also a deft-mute, so couldn"t enter plea; couldn"t be tried for the crime. Court establishes clearer legal standard: about to enter a plea, and must have sufficient intellect to understand proceeding. Canada"s fitness standard for the next 156 yrs: canada"s bill c-30(1992): revisions to sections2 of criminal code. Disorder interferes with ability to conduct a defence. Three criteria (or elements): understand possible consequences, communicate with counsel. Unable (b/c of mental disorder) to: understand nature and object of proceedings; Bill- c-3o also establish new part xx. 1 of criminal code (deals with mental disorders)
