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Ethics and the Death Penalty

Participation by Forensic Psychiatrists in Capital Trials

  • Chapter
Ethical Practice in Psychiatry and the Law

Part of the book series: Critical Issues in American Psychiatry and the Law ((CIAP,volume 7))

Abstract

Psychiatrists, who may or may not specialize in legal work, are called on to participate in capital punishment cases at several points in the legal process. For instance, their opinions may be requested in the determination of fitness to stand trial, and on mental state at the time of the crime, particularly in connection with the insanity defense. After a declaration of guilt they may be involved in the sentencing process, where questions as to mitigating circumstances will often be about mental stress and psychological history. They are also asked to predict future dangerousness and the possibility of rehabilitation. Finally, psychiatrists may (though much less frequently) be asked to pronounce on “fitness to be executed.”

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, 90024, USA

    Philippa Foot

Authors
  1. Philippa Foot
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, 10016, New York, New York, USA

    Richard Rosner M.D. (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry and Medical Director) (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry and Medical Director)

  2. Forensic Psychiatry Clinic of the New York Criminal and Supreme Courts, 100 Centre Street, 10013, New York, New York, USA

    Richard Rosner M.D. (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry and Medical Director) (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry and Medical Director)

  3. Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Alcoholism Services of the City of New York, New York, New York, USA

    Richard Rosner M.D. (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry and Medical Director) (Clinical Professor, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry and Medical Director)

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Robert Weinstock M.D. (Associate Clinical Professor, Director, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry) (Associate Clinical Professor, Director, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry)

  5. Forensic and Ethical Consultation, Psychiatry Service, West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center, 90073, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Robert Weinstock M.D. (Associate Clinical Professor, Director, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry) (Associate Clinical Professor, Director, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry)

  6. Psychiatric Training, Student Psychological Services, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Robert Weinstock M.D. (Associate Clinical Professor, Director, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry) (Associate Clinical Professor, Director, Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Psychiatry)

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© 1990 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Foot, P. (1990). Ethics and the Death Penalty. In: Rosner, R., Weinstock, R. (eds) Ethical Practice in Psychiatry and the Law. Critical Issues in American Psychiatry and the Law, vol 7. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1663-1_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1663-1_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-1665-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-1663-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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