Psychiatric defence of a Nigerian minor with intellectual disability and co-morbid mental illness: An exploration into legal grounds
People with intellectual disability and co-morbid serious mental illness are sometimes involved as perpetrators of an offence and suffer exploitation in the criminal justice system. Understanding the link between mental illness and crime and the experience of an accused deserves attention b...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Victimology Society of Serbia and Prometej-Beograd
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Temida |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-6637/2020/1450-66372002229A.pdf |
| Summary: | People with intellectual disability and co-morbid serious mental illness are
sometimes involved as perpetrators of an offence and suffer exploitation in
the criminal justice system. Understanding the link between mental illness
and crime and the experience of an accused deserves attention because it may
be essential in the administration of justice. The subject of this paper is
the experience of a 17-year-old boy, suffering from both intellectual
disability and schizophrenia, who was accused of theft and charged to court.
The aim is to show how psychiatric services can be helpful in the disposal
of court sentences for a minor. The relationship between his mental illness
(with a focus on intellectual disability) and crime, and potential
victimization in the criminal justice system is discussed. We advocate for
awareness on the part of the legal system in the protection of people with
intellectual disability from being victimized and recommend the need for
psychiatric service to educate the court on the stringent application of the
insanity rule. |
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| ISSN: | 1450-6637 2406-0941 |