ADJUS-121 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Equal Protection Clause, Irresistible Impulse
20 Jun 2020
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If causation is established, it doesn"t mean that the defendant is guilty. The other elements of the crime must still be met. Demonstrates the confusion surrounding the issue of causation under the traditional approach, the confusion over who decides causation, and the confusion as to how this notion should be articulated to the jury. There are no constitutional requirements in regards to causation. Causation is a matter of state law. Ferman v. georgia: the single verdict procedure violated equal protection and due process provisions of the constitution. Supreme court struck down the required death penalty, but upheld the bifurcated trial method. To be competent to stand trial, a defendant must be able to understand the proceedings against him and assist in his own defense. There is some debate as to what will satisfy these requirements. Jackson v. indiana: court held that an indefinite commitment to a mental hospital because a person was found incompetent to stand trial is unconstitutional.
