Report Title:
Insanity Defense
Description:
Eliminates the insanity defense.
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
128 |
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO PENAL RESPONSIBILITY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 704-400, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§704-400 [Physical or
mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding penal responsibility.
(1) A person is not responsible, under this Code, for conduct if at the time
of the conduct as a result of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect
the person lacks substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of
the person's conduct or to conform the person's conduct to the requirements of
law.
(2) As used in this chapter, the terms
"physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect" do not include an
abnormality manifested only by repeated penal or otherwise anti-social conduct.]
Mental condition not a defense. A person's mental condition
shall not be a defense to any charge of criminal conduct."
SECTION 2. Section 704-402, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.
["§704-402 Physical or mental
disease, disorder, or defect excluding responsibility is an affirmative
defense; form of verdict and judgment when finding of irresponsibility is made.
(1) Physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding
responsibility is an affirmative defense.
(2) When the defense provided for by
subsection (1) is submitted to a jury, the court shall, if requested by the
defendant, instruct the jury as to the consequences to the defendant of an
acquittal on the ground of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect
excluding responsibility.
(3) When the defendant is acquitted on the ground of
physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding responsibility, the
verdict and the judgment shall so state."]
SECTION 3. Section 704-404, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
(1) By amending subsection (1) to read:
"(1) Whenever [the defendant has filed a notice of intention to rely
on the defense of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding
responsibility, or] there is reason to doubt the defendant's fitness to
proceed, [or reason to believe that the physical or mental disease,
disorder, or defect of the defendant will or has become an issue in the case,]
the court may immediately suspend all further proceedings in the prosecution.
If a trial jury has been empanelled, it shall be discharged or retained at the discretion
of the court. The discharge of the trial jury shall not be a bar to further
prosecution."
(2) By amending subsection (4) to read:
"(4) The report of the examination shall include the following:
(a) A description of the nature of the examination;
(b) A diagnosis of the physical or mental condition of defendant;
(c) An opinion as to the defendant's capacity to understand the proceedings against the defendant and to assist in the defendant's own defense;
[(d) An
opinion as to the extent, if any, to which the capacity of the defendant to
appreciate the wrongfulness of the defendant's conduct or to conform the
defendant's conduct to the requirements of law was impaired at the time of the
conduct alleged;
(e) When
directed by the court, an opinion as to the capacity of the defendant to have a
particular state of mind that is required to
establish an element of the offense charged;] and
[(f)] (d)
Where more than one examiner is appointed, a statement that the diagnosis and
opinion rendered were arrived at independently of any other examiner, unless
there is a showing to the court of a clear need for
communication between or among the examiners for clarification. A description
of the communication shall be included in the report. After all reports are
submitted to the court, examiners may confer without restriction."
SECTION 4. Section 704-408, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.
["§704-408 Determination of
irresponsibility. If the report of the examiners filed pursuant to section
704-404, or the report of examiners of the defendant's choice under section
704-409, states that the defendant at the time of the conduct alleged was affected by
a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect that
substantially impaired the defendant's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness
of the defendant's conduct or to conform the defendant's conduct to the
requirements of law, the court shall submit the defense of physical or mental
disease, disorder, or defect to the jury or the trier of fact at the trial of
the charge against the defendant."]
SECTION 5. Section 704-410, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§704-410 Form of expert testimony
regarding [physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect.] fitness
to proceed. (1) At the hearing pursuant to section 704-405 [or upon
the trial], the examiners who reported pursuant to section 704-404 may be
called as witnesses by the prosecution, the defendant, or the court. [If
the issue is being tried before a jury, the jury may be informed that the
examiners or any of them were designated by the court or by the director of
health at the request of the court, as the case may be.] If called by the
court, the witness shall be subject to cross-examination by the prosecution and
the defendant. Both the prosecution and the defendant may summon any other
qualified physician or licensed psychologist or other expert to testify, but no
one who has not examined the defendant shall be competent to testify to an
expert opinion with respect to the physical or mental condition of the
defendant, as distinguished from the validity of the procedure followed by, or
the general scientific propositions stated by, another witness.
(2) When an examiner testifies on the issue of the defendant's fitness to proceed, the examiner shall be permitted to make a statement as to the nature of the examiner's examination, the examiner's diagnosis of the physical or mental condition of the defendant, and the examiner's opinion of the extent, if any, to which the capacity of the defendant to understand the proceedings against the defendant or to assist in the defendant's own defense is impaired as a result of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect.
[(3) When an examiner testifies on the
issue of the defendant's responsibility for conduct alleged or the issue of the
defendant's capacity to have a particular state of mind which is necessary to
establish an element of the offense charged, the examiner shall be permitted to
make a statement as to the nature of the examiner's examination, the examiner's
diagnosis of the physical or mental condition of the defendant at the time of
the conduct alleged, and the examiner's opinion of the extent, if any, to which
the capacity of the defendant to appreciate the wrongfulness of the defendant's
conduct or to conform the defendant's conduct to the requirements of law or to
have a particular state of mind which is necessary to establish an element of
the offense charged was impaired as a result of physical or mental disease, disorder,
or defect at that time.] [(4)] (3) When an examiner
testifies, the examiner shall be permitted to make any explanation reasonably
serving to clarify the examiner's diagnosis and opinion and may be
cross-examined as to any matter bearing on the examiner's competency or
credibility or the validity of the examiner's diagnosis or opinion."
SECTION 6. Section 704-411, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.
["§704-411 Legal effect of
acquittal on the ground of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect
excluding responsibility; commitment; conditional release; discharge; procedure
for separate post-acquittal hearing.
(1) When a defendant is acquitted on the
ground of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding
responsibility, the court, on the basis of the report made pursuant to section
704-404, if uncontested, or the medical or psychological evidence given at the
trial or at a separate hearing, make an order as follows:
(a) The
court shall order the defendant to be committed to the custody of the director
of health to be placed in an appropriate institution for custody, care, and
treatment if the court finds that the defendant:
(i) Is affected by a physical or mental disease, disorder,
or defect;
(ii) Presents a risk of danger to self or others; and
(iii) Is not a proper subject for conditional release;
provided that
the director of health shall place defendants charged with misdemeanors or
felonies not involving violence or attempted violence in the least restrictive
environment appropriate in light of the defendant's treatment needs and the
need to prevent harm to the person confined and others;
(b) The
court order the defendant to be released on such conditions as the court deems
necessary if the court finds that the defendant is affected by physical or
mental disease, disorder, or defect and that the defendant presents a danger to
self or others, but that the defendant can be
controlled adequately and given proper care, supervision, and treatment if the
defendant is released on condition; or
(c) The
court shall order the defendant discharged if the court finds that the
defendant is no longer affected by physical or mental disease, disorder, or
defect or, if so affected, that the defendant no longer presents a danger to self or others and is not in need of care,
supervision, or treatment.
(2) The court, upon its own motion or on
the motion of the prosecuting attorney or the defendant, shall order a separate post-acquittal hearing for the purpose of
taking evidence on the issue of physical or mental
disease, disorder, or defect and the risk of danger that the defendant presents to self ] or others.
(3) When ordering a hearing pursuant to
subsection (2):
(a) In non-felony
cases, the court shall appoint a qualified examiner to examine and report upon
the physical and mental condition of the defendant. The court may appoint
either a psychiatrist or a licensed psychologist. The examiner may be
designated by the director of health from within the department of health. The
examiner shall be appointed from a list of certified examiners as determined by
the department of health. The court, in appropriate circumstances, may appoint
an additional examiner or examiners; and
(b) In
felony cases, the court shall appoint three qualified examiners to examine and
report upon the physical and mental condition of the defendant. In each case,
the court shall appoint at least one psychiatrist and at least one licensed
psychologist. The third member may be a psychiatrist, a licensed psychologist,
or a qualified physician. One of the three shall be a psychiatrist or licensed
psychologist designated by the director of health from within the department of
health. The three examiners shall be appointed from a list of certified examiners
as determined by the department of health. To facilitate the examination and
the proceedings thereon, the court may cause the defendant, if not then
confined, to be committed to a hospital or other suitable facility for the
purpose of examination for a period not exceeding thirty days or such longer
period as the court determines to be necessary for the purpose upon written
findings for good cause shown. The court may direct that qualified physicians
or psychologists retained by the defendant be permitted to witness the
examination. The examination and report and the compensation of persons making
or assisting in the examination shall be in accord with section 704-404(3),
(4)(a) and (b), (6), (7), (8), and (9). As used in this section, the term "licensed
psychologist" includes psychologists exempted from licensure by section
465-3(a)(3).
(4) Whether the court's order under
subsection (1) is made on the basis of the medical or psychological evidence
given at the trial, or on the basis of the report made pursuant to section
704-404, or the medical or psychological evidence given at a separate hearing, the burden shall be upon the State to prove, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant is affected by a physical or
mental disease, disorder, or defect and may not safely be discharged and that
the defendant should be either committed or conditionally released as
provided in subsection (1).
(5) In any
proceeding governed by this section, the defendant's fitness shall not be an
issue."]
SECTION 7. Section 704-412, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.
["§704-412 Committed person; application
for conditional release or discharge; by the director of health; by the person.
(1) After the expiration of at least ninety days following the order of commitment
pursuant to section 704-411, if the director of health is of the opinion that
the person committed to [his] the director's custody is still
affected by a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect and may be
released on condition or discharged without danger to [himself] self or
to the person or property of others[, he] or that the person is no longer
affected by a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect, the director
shall make application for the discharge or conditional release of [such] the
person in a report to the court [by] from which [such] the person
was committed and shall transmit a copy of the application and report to the
prosecuting attorney of the county from which the [defendant] person was
committed. The [defendant] person shall be given notice of such
application.
(2) After the expiration of ninety days from the
date of the order of commitment pursuant to section 704-411, the person
committed may apply to the court [by] from which [he] the person
was committed for an order of discharge [or conditional release] upon the
ground that the [same may be ordered] person is no longer affected by a
physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect. The person committed may apply
for discharge or conditional release upon the ground that, though still
affected by a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect, the person may
be released without danger to [himself] self or to the person or
property of others. A copy of the application shall be transmitted to the
prosecuting attorney of the county from which the defendant was committed. If
the determination of the court is adverse to the application, [such] the
person shall not be permitted to file a further application until one year has
elapsed from the date of any preceding hearing on an application for [his] the
person's discharge or conditional release."]
SECTION 8. Section 704-413, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.
["§704-413 Conditional release;
application for modification or discharge; termination of conditional release
and commitment. (1) Any person released [on condition] pursuant to section
704-411 shall continue to receive mental health or other [appropriate]
treatment and care deemed appropriate by the director of health until
discharged from conditional release. The person shall follow all prescribed
treatments and take all prescribed medications according to the instructions of
the person's treating mental health professional. If any mental health
professional treating any conditionally released person believes either
the person is [either] not complying with the requirements of this section[,]
or there is other evidence that hospitalization is appropriate, the mental
health professional shall report the matter to the probation officer of the
conditionally released person. The probation officer may order the
conditionally released person to be hospitalized for a period not to exceed
seventy-two hours if the probation officer has probable cause to believe the
person has violated the requirements of this subsection. No person shall be
hospitalized beyond the seventy-two hour period, as computed pursuant to
section 1-29, unless a hearing has been held pursuant to subsection (3).
(2) Any person released [on condition] pursuant
to section 704-411 may apply to the court ordering the conditional release for
discharge from, or modification of, the order granting
conditional release on the ground that [he] the person is no longer affected
by a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect and may be discharged,
or the order may be modified, without danger to [himself] the
person or to others. The application shall be accompanied by a letter
from or supporting affidavit of a qualified physician or licensed
psychologist. A copy of the application and letter or affidavit shall be
transmitted to the prosecuting attorney of the [county in which the person is
confined] circuit from which the order issued and to any persons
supervising [his] the release, and the hearing on the application
shall be held following notice to such persons. If the determination of the
court is adverse to the application, [such] the person shall not be
permitted to file further application until one year has elapsed from the date
of any preceding hearing on an application for modification of conditions of release
or for discharge.
(3) If, at any time after the order pursuant to
section 704-411 granting conditional release, the court [shall determine,] determines,
after hearing evidence, that:
(a) The person is still affected by a
physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect, and the conditions of
release have not been fulfilled; or [that for]
(b) For the safety of [such] the
person or others [his], the person's conditional release should be
revoked,
the court may forthwith modify the conditions of
release or order the person to be committed to the custody of the director of
health, subject to discharge or release only in accordance with the procedure
prescribed in section 704-412."]
]
SECTION 9. Section 704-414, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.
["§704-414 Procedure upon
application for discharge, conditional release, or modification of conditions
of release. Upon filing of an application pursuant to section 704-412 for
discharge or conditional release, or upon the filing of an application pursuant
to section 704-413 for discharge or for modification of conditions of release,
the court shall appoint three qualified examiners in felony cases and one
qualified examiner in non-felony cases to examine and report upon the physical
and mental condition of the defendant. In felony cases the court shall appoint
at least one psychiatrist and at least one licensed psychologist. The third
member may be [either] a psychiatrist, a licensed psychologist, or a qualified
physician. One of the three shall be a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist
designated by the director of health from within the department of health. The
examiners shall be appointed from a list of certified examiners as determined
by the department of health. To facilitate the examination and the proceedings
thereon, the court may cause the defendant, if not then confined, to be
committed to a hospital or other suitable facility for the purpose of the
examination and may direct that qualified physicians or psychologists retained
by the defendant be permitted to witness [and participate in] the examination.
The examination and report and the compensation of persons making or assisting
in the examination shall be in accord with section 704-404(3), (4)(a) and (b),
(6), (7), (8), and (9). As used in this section, the term "licensed
psychologist" includes psychologists exempted from licensure by section
465-3(a)(3)."]
SECTION 10. Section 704-415, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.
["§704-415
Disposition of application for discharge, conditional release, or modification
of conditions of release. (1) If the court is satisfied [by] from
the report filed pursuant to section 704-414, and such testimony of the
reporting examiners as the court deems necessary, that:
(a) The person is affected by a physical or mental
disease, disorder, or defect and the discharge, conditional release, or
modification of conditions of release applied for may be granted without danger
to the committed or conditionally released person or to the person or property
of others[,]; or
(b) The person is no longer affected by a
physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect,
the court shall grant the
application and order the relief. If the court is not so satisfied, it shall
promptly order a hearing [to determine whether such person may safely be
discharged or released].
(2) Any such hearing shall be deemed a civil
proceeding and the burden shall be upon the applicant to prove that the person is
no longer affected by a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect or
may safely be either released on the conditions applied for or
discharged. According to the determination of the court upon the hearing, the
person shall [thereupon] be [discharged, or released]:
(a) Discharged;
(b) Released on such conditions as the
court determines to be necessary[,]; or [shall be recommitted]
(c) Recommitted to the custody of the
director of health, subject to discharge or release only in accordance with the
procedure prescribed in section 704-412."]
]
SECTION 11. The legislative reference bureau shall prepare proposed conforming legislation to make necessary amendments to statutes affected by the repeal of sections 704-402, 704-408, 704-411, 704-412, 704-413, 704-414, and 704-415. The legislative reference bureau shall transmit such proposed legislation to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2008.
SECTION 12. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun, before its effective date.
SECTION 13. Statutory material to be repealed in bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 14. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY: |
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