Assignment task: What If Scenario A recent murder trial has resulted in a child murderer being found not guilty by reason of insanity. The resulting public outcry has motivated the passage of legislation eliminating the insanity defense in your state. Examine similar changes in other states to answer the following questions. What impact will this change have on the murder rate in your state? What impact will this change have on incarceration rates in your state? How will this change affect murder trials in your state?
What If Scenario Your state legislature has decided to change the law regarding the insanity defense? Previously, the burden was on the defendant to prove insanity. The new law requires the prosecutor to prove sanity. How would this affect prosecutions? What impact would it have on trials in your state? Would it have an effect on plea bargains?