Abstract:
Voluntary, or intentional, acute intoxication does not qualify for an insanity defense. However, in many jurisdictions, voluntary intoxication can create a diminished capacity to form a specific intent necessary for a criminal offense. This is a type of mens rea defense. Homicide provides a clear example where the absence of a required specific intent can lead to a lesser included crime that does not require that specific intent. Thereby, a mens rea defense may lessen a first-degree murder charge to a lesser degree or even manslaughter, depending on the jurisdiction. After reviewing the history of mens rea defenses and voluntary intoxication, we performed a search of LexisNexis for state statutes and case law regulating the use of voluntary intoxication in mens rea defenses, focusing on homicide-related offenses. In this article, we compare the different approaches that have developed to address this complex issue. We discuss why knowledge of these different approaches is essential to the practicing forensic examiner in relevant jurisdictions and explore developing issues in the area.
摘要:
自愿,或者是故意的,急性中毒不符合精神错乱防御的资格。然而,在许多司法管辖区,自愿中毒可以创建一个削弱的能力,形成一个特定的意图必要的刑事犯罪。这是一种男子辩护。凶杀提供了一个明确的例子,其中缺乏所需的特定意图可能导致不需要该特定意图的较少包括的犯罪。因此,男子辩护可能会在较小程度上减少一级谋杀指控,甚至是过失杀人,取决于管辖权。在回顾了男性自我辩护和自愿中毒的历史之后,我们对LexisNexis进行了搜索,以寻找州法规和判例法,规范在男子自愿性辩护中使用自愿中毒,专注于与凶杀案有关的罪行。在这篇文章中,我们比较了为解决这个复杂问题而开发的不同方法。我们讨论了为什么这些不同方法的知识对于相关司法管辖区的执业法医至关重要,并探讨了该领域的发展问题。