Opinion ID: 849242
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Traditional Insanity Defense

Text: In Michigan, use of the insanity defense has been governed by statute since 1975. 1975 PA 180. Legal insanity is an affirmative defense requiring proof that, as a result of mental illness or being mentally retarded as defined in the mental health code, the defendant lacked substantial capacity either to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of his or her conduct or conform his or her conduct to the requirements of the law. MCL 768.21a(1). [5] Importantly, the statute provides that [t]he defendant has the burden of proving the defense of insanity by a preponderance of the evidence. MCL 768.21a(3) (emphasis added). There are also several procedural requirements that must be satisfied before an insanity defense may be raised. We recently summarized those requirements in People v. Toma, 462 Mich. 281, 292, n. 6, 613 N.W.2d 694 (2000): A defendant in a felony case who wishes to interpose an insanity defense, must serve written notice on the court and the prosecutor not less than thirty days before trial and submit to a court-ordered examination, relating to the claim of insanity, by personnel for the center for forensic psychiatry or other qualified personnel. MCL 768.20a(1) and (2); MSA 28.1043(1)(1) and (2). A defendant or the prosecutor may also obtain independent psychiatric examinations. MCL 768.20a(3); MSA 28.1043(1)(3). The failure by the defendant to fully cooperate in either the court-directed or independent examinations, bars the defendant from presenting testimony relating to insanity at trial. MCL 768.20a(4); MSA 28.1043(1)(4). Finally, M.C.L. § 768.36 sets forth the consequences of a jury's finding that a defendant is guilty of an offense and that, although the defendant was mentally ill at the time the offense charged was committed, the defendant was not legally insane. If a defendant is found guilty but mentally ill, the trial court shall impose any sentence which could be imposed pursuant to law upon a defendant who is convicted of the same offense. MCL 768.36(3). If incarcerated, the defendant must undergo further evaluation and be given such treatment as is psychiatrically indicated for his mental illness or retardation. Id. If the defendant is placed on probation, the trial judge, upon recommendation of the center for forensic psychiatry, shall make treatment a condition of probation. MCL 768.36(4).