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Full-Text Articles in Law

Automatic And Indefinite Commitment Of Insanity Acquittees: A Procedural Straitjacket, John B. Scherling Oct 1984

Automatic And Indefinite Commitment Of Insanity Acquittees: A Procedural Straitjacket, John B. Scherling

Vanderbilt Law Review

This Recent Development suggests that the Court erroneously decided Jones. Part II examines the Supreme Court's constitutional analysis of commitment procedures and discusses postacquittal commitment in state and lower federal courts. Part III analyzes the Jones decision and the exception that it allows for the commitment of insanity acquittees. Part IV contends that prior to involuntary and indefinite commitment an insanity acquittee deserves the same standard of proof as a civil commitment candidate-proof of mental illness and dangerousness by clear and convincing evidence. Part IV also argues that absent proof by clear and convincing evidence of the acquittee's need for …


Some Order Out Of Chaos In Wrongful Death Law, T. A. Smedley Mar 1984

Some Order Out Of Chaos In Wrongful Death Law, T. A. Smedley

Vanderbilt Law Review

In this Article, the author endeavors to outline a fair and manageable uniform law on wrongful death. Part II of this Article summarizes the historical development and inadequacies of the diverse types of wrongful death and survival laws in the United States.Part III explores the damages recoverable under the existing statutes. Part IV examines two significant proposals for reforming this area of the law. Finally, parts V and VI contain the author's suggestions for a fair yet manageable wrongful death statute that may serve all jurisdictions.


Dangerousness And Expertise, Christopher Slobogin Jan 1984

Dangerousness And Expertise, Christopher Slobogin

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

The defendant-first approach advocated in this Article is more difficult to implement than either the current policy admitting any proffered expert testimony or the exclusionary reform advanced by many commentators. It requires some mechanism for apprising the state when the defense intends to use clinical prediction testimony. When no such intent is registered, it demands that any other clinical testimony, whether offered by the state or the defense, be carefully monitored to insure that the dangerousness issue is not raised; it may require revamping other procedures as well.2 " But the defendant-first approach also presents the factfinder with the most …