Research article summary (published 30 Dec 2002):

The concept of severe mental disorder and the amended law of reduced punishment for murder.

Full Abstract

According to the 1995 amendment 300a of the Israeli Penal Law 1977, punishment for murder may be reduced in cases where "a severe mental disorder" is present. As a consequence, psychiatrists are called upon to define the mental disorder and to assess its impact on the actions of the murderer. This constitutes a major challenge both for the courts and for forensic psychiatrists who are still in the process of learning the ramifications of this medico-legal issue. We suggest that, from the psychiatrist's point of view, the law be used only for people suffering from mental disorders which are very closely associated with psychotic mental illness.

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Author information

Author/s: Melamed, Yuval (Y); Mester, Roberto (R); Margolin, Jacob (J); Levertuv, Gal (G);

Affiliation: Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Tel-Aviv.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Medicine and law (Med Law), published in South Africa. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-; vol 22 (issue 2) : pp 259-66

Dates: Created 2003/07/31; Completed 2003/10/01; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12889645, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Crime Criminal Law Expert Testimony Forensic Psychiatry - legislation & jurisprudence

Homicide - legislation & jurisprudence Humans Mental Disorders - classification Punishment

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