Looking for info on insanity laws

[Al302LX]

I am just looking for general info on various insanity laws, etc. Also what is Mens Rea and Actus Reus. Just random websites will help, nothing fancy. Thanks.

[Mike Tx]

Pay attention to the Andrea Yates murder trial going on now in Houston. It's already being spun on the news that this is a case of severe mental illness brought on by post partum depression. I saw a woman on tv the other day telling us all how wrong it was to try her for murder.

So just watch this case and I'm sure you can learn all you want.

[retired]

mens rea
(menz ray-ah) n. Latin for a "guilty mind," or criminal intent in committing the act.

actus reus (ACK tus REE us)
Proof that a criminal act has occurred.

Retired

[adam]

Are you looking for particular states, case law, or just general information? Keep in mind that insanity laws are going to very greatly from state to state.

You can access the State Of California's Law Library at: www.leginfo.ca.gov. This includes the Penal Code, Welfare and Institutions Code, etc. Search for 5150 in the W&I if you're looking for basic information on insanity.

[kd5hqd]

I'm not sure if I said it anywhere else, but the only thing Andrea Yates is suffering from is the fact that she's living. This will be remedied soon however.


Tex
KD5HQD

[Stone]

All New Hampshire Laws can be found at:

http://gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html...es/default.asp

[Ron1432]

You can also try searching through findlaw.com
www.findlaw.com