In 1994, a young single mother named Susan Smith claimed that a Black man stole her car with her two young sons inside. The case made national news, and Smith went on TV begging for the carjacker to return her sons unharmed. A month later, Smith confessed to police that she let her car roll into a nearby lake to kill her children for the purpose of rekindling a relationship with a man who said he did not want to date a woman with children. After the children drowned, she fabricated the carjacking story to mislead the police. Smith plead not guilty by reason of insanity. Based on what you know about the insanity defense do you think she was successful? Why or why not? Be sure to describe the relevant standards, tests, and rules and apply them to this case.
What will be an ideal response?
Examples should conclude that she was not successful because she knew right from wrong. The evidence is her attempt to cover up the crime. The M’Naghten standard and Brawner rule should be defined and applied.
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In highly homogeneous cultures, lawbreakers tend to deny responsibility and go to great lengths to avoid capture and conviction
a. True b. False
Describe three alternatives that afford the defendant a pretrial release without having to post a cash bond
What will be an ideal response?
The formal criminal justice process is supposed to be fair and unbiased. Critics argue that extralegal factors often influence the process. Which of the following is one of those extralegal factors critics argue influences the system?
A. Offender's race B. Offender's prior record C. Seriousness of offense D. Available evidence
Which of the following is generally NOT indicative of deception?
a. unusually short or long sentences b. incomplete sentences c. explanations that do not make sense d. excessive use of the word I