This essay argues against the insanity plea. It gives about 5 points/arguments that prove the defense faulty, and tell that it should be abolished from court rooms.

Essay by ange2531High School, 12th gradeA+, December 2002

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Crimes are committed everyday, by many different people all over the world. Crime is something that seems impossible to defeat, with some crimes more magnificent than others. These crimes are all inexcusable and those people who commit crimes should be punished. The punishment should fit the crime, meaning that, if you do something extreme, like murder someone, you should not be allowed to defend yourself by reasoning of insanity. No crime, especially a murder should go uncharged which is why the insanity plea should be abolished. It allows for the "mentally insane" people to go virtually unpunished for their crime. For hundreds of years civilized courts have recognized that, when a person who is mentally unstable is accused of a crime, it is a special circumstance and they must be deal with in a different manner than a sane person would.

Granted the opponent must have some valid points and arguments, but arguments that oppose the insanity plea use much stronger and logical reasoning.

One reason the insanity plea should be abolished is that it imposes a threat on the safety of the innocent and sane, American public. A large number of Americans feel that the insanity plea should be erased or altered to protect their own safety. One idea would be to prevent the use of the insanity plea when more extreme cases such as murder are on trial. Using the insanity plea in a murder case and getting away with it shakes the security of American people. Would anyone like to know that a murder who had left the mental institution after pleading mentally insane would be walking shoulder to shoulder with them or someone they loves out on the streets. This is a great fear behind the insanity defense because many non-guilty verdicts have set the...