Automatism



Automatism

Introduction

This paper intends to discuss the different aspects of insanity, automatism, insane automatism, sane automatism, hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, common law and defence. The underlying problems with the current law and what can be done in order to address the situation will be analyzed in this paper. the purpose of this paper is to make the readers aware about the significance of the concepts of automatism and its utilization in the criminal cases for the defence.

Discussion

Before jumping to the case; it is important to describe the relevant terms with respect to the case of R v Quick [1993].

Insanity

Insanity is the state of being mentally sick or in bad mental condition.

Automatism

Automatism refers to the performance of actions without being intended to perform them. This is most commonly used as a defence for crimes by the diabetic patients. Diabetic patients claim that hypoglycaemia leads them to commit crimes. This condition enables the criminals to plead automatism in their defence.

Case in Discussion

The case in discussion is R v Quick [1993]. The case in discussion relates to the condition of hypoglycaemia which is created by improper dosage of insulin. This condition is utilized as tool of automatism rather than proving the criminal going through insanity. The case was witnessed between two employees of Farleigh Mental Hospital. Quick was working as charge nurse at the hospital. The case was related to a paraplegic spastic patient who was not able to walk and was watching television on 27 December, 1971 at around 4 pm (www.global.oup.com).

The patient suffered injuries due to an unknown event. Quick was charged with the offence of beating the patient with the support of Paddison. Quick viewpoint regarding the case was that he cannot recall assaulting Green, the patient. However, he admitted that he has been drinking and also been a diabetic patient required to take insulin every morning. Judges conclude that Quick has been suffering from the condition of semi consciousness due to hypoglycaemia (Schopp, 1991).

Hypoglycaemia is a condition which occurs when the body has more amounts of insulin then the required. The judges in the case rightfully suggested no mental hospital would admit a patient only because he is going through hypoglycaemia. Therefore, further evidence and strong reasons need to be made in order to make the criminal evict from the punishment. The judges also suggested that the condition of Quick was not due to the use of insulin he was ...