Social Sciences and the Law

How often is the insanity plea used in the U.S.?

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Many have contended that the insanity defense is nothing more than a legal loophole, allowing serious criminals to escape imprisonment. In fact, the plea is rarely employed in the United States, and it is estimated that less than 1% of defendants have used it successfully.

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Get more facts and information about insanity . Or, view the full encyclopedia entry from The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.

Similar questions: Is a plea of insanity likely to be successful in a U.S. court? How many defendents have successfully used the insanity plea? [ Hide these questions ]

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