The concept of severe mental disorder and the amended law of reduced punishment for murder.
According to the 1995 amendment 300a of the Israeli Penal Law 1977, punishment for murder may be reduced in cases where "a severe mental disorder" is present. As a consequence, psychiatrists are called upon to define the mental disorder and to assess its impact on the actions of the murderer. This constitutes a major challenge both for the courts and for forensic psychiatrists who are still in the process of learning the ramifications of this medico-legal issue. We suggest that, from the psychiatrist's point of view, the law be used only for people suffering from mental disorders which are very closely associated with psychotic mental illness.
Melamed
Yuval
Y
Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Tel-Aviv.
Mester
Roberto
R
Margolin
Jacob
J
Levertuv
Gal
G
D003415:Crime; D003416:Criminal Law; D005104:Expert Testimony; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006708:Homicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification*; D011678:Punishment