Often See The Same Excuse For Crimes!!

[cassa333]

I've noticed (on another law site and sometimes here) that an increasing number of people that get caught for something, whether drink driving, shop liftering or assault etc etc make the claim, as a mitigating factor, that they have some form of mental health issue or just started a new medication. From stress at work to full out mental illness.

I know there are people with (some form or other) mental health issues but it seems to be an excuse that is trotted out so that they don't have to take responsibility. But they suddenly realise the behaviour they used was wrong when it comes to 'paying the price' and how they can get out of it!

I could be wrong to think this but I wondered if it is the modern thing of excuse making and not taking responsibility or those with mental health issues actually believe they are not responsible for drink driving, theft or assault etc etc because of their health issues?

[AlwaysConfused]

I think it's in our nature to fight our corner and say anything to get ourselves out of trouble! I personally wouldn't use mental illness as an excuse though, I have many family with mental health issues and it's no laughing matter the amount of support they need. I haven't looked into it, but I doubt it's a modern issue

[sandyRoe]

Not so much that they don't have to take responsibility, more to try and reduce the consequences of their actions. It would be a poor judge who gave any weight to that sort of mitigation.

[Svejk]

They're encouraged from an early age (schools etc.) to evade personal responsibility using these spurious 'modern conditions'

[ummmm]

No they're not!!

[Svejk]

Oh yes they are.

[mccfluff]

so there are classes in schools that teach you how to evade responsibility for crimes buy claiming mental illness??

you are talking broccoli

[ummmm]

Schools and ? are teaching students to evade personal responsibility?

When did this start then?

[joggerjayne]

For some people, no.

For a lot of people, yes.

When people who are under a bit of stress try to portray it as a debilitating mental illness, it's an insult to those people who genuinely do have difficult mental conditions.

There was some businessman a few years ago who was released from prison early because he had developed Alzheimer's, and couldn't remember anything.

Once he was out of prison, he couldn't remember that he had Alzheimer's, and he was suddenly fine. Maybe in the Religion and Spirituality section they could explain that little miracle. Or was it an example of someone using unprovable mental health issues to avoid responsibility? Surely not.

[emmie]

i despise people who do this, as it does a great disservice to those with significant mental health problems.

[joggerjayne]

Just so, em.

[emmie]

i also despise people who pretend illness to get out of a custodial sentence or in some way dodge the bullet, then make a miraculous recovery when either let off or get a much reduced sentence or fine.

[emmie]

i remember this well, what a fraudster.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Saunders

[flump1]

I agree with you cassa, I get fed up with ' excuses'. If our behaviour as adults is a direct result of abusive, neglectful, childhoods my siblings and I should be rampant tearaways. We went through hell...but we still knew right from wrong . We may have learned from school, our peers, possibly our parents. It makes me cross when adult behaviour is attributed to the formation years. I agree it can have an impact, however as adults we know the consequenses.

[emmie]

flump, couldn't agree more.

[lady-janine]

what more can you expect from a clever crook.

[joggerjayne]

Ernest Saunders ... that was him.

He returned to being a successful businessman and consultant.

Can we safely assume that, if he had been arrested again, his symptoms would have all come back?

[emmie]

very likely, i don't wish people ill, however if he does have Alzheimers at any point that would indeed be some justice.

[emmie]

of course he would have forgotten everything by then at any rate.

[joggerjayne]

Who??

[emmie]

don't know, what was i saying x