Criminal Responsibility, Criminal Competence, and Prediction of Criminal Behavior

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

9-1-2013

Abstract

This chapter systematically addresses the current relevance of neuroscience to the doctrines of criminal responsibility and competence and the practice of predicting criminal conduct. It offers a framework for thinking about how neuroscientific information may be relevant to these doctrines and practices. It cautiously concludes that in most instances current neuroscience is not able to help adjudicate questions of responsibility and competence.

Keywords

Act, mens rea (mental state), justification, excuse, competence, sentencing, prediction, legal relevance

Publication Title

A Primer on Criminal Law and Neuroscience: A contribution of the Law and Neuroscience Project, supported by the MacArthur Foundation

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199859177.003.0006

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