PTSD Voir Dire Questions
(Criminal and Injury)
- Know anyone who’s a member of the Armed Forces? Who’s served in combat?
- Know anyone who’s suffered from Post Traumatic Stress?
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Can you conceive of a situation when a person accused of a crime can assert
a mental health defense? When is it appropriate?
a) Can you conceive of a situation when an injured person has suffered PTSD - Is the use of a mental defense an excuse, trick, or technicality to get off?
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If you find his mind in a diseased state:
a) Will you presume him innocent?
b) Vote not guilty; or is disease no excuse?
c)Damages for PTSD? - If his mind flickers in and out like a radio station in your car – crossing the desert – would you consider this evidence his brain is broken?
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Will you accept the responsibility of enforcing the law relating to;
a) Intent?
b) Insanity? - Is the use of insanity too light or should we reject it in order to punish him?
- How comfortable are you with the presumption of innocence?
- How should we deal with the mentally ill?
- Can you vote not guilty by reason of insanity?
- What is more important…..public safety or the defendant’s presumption of innocence if you find he has a mental disease?