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This lecture describes the practical problems of presenting an insanity defense in Illinois. Topics include: (1) the clear and convincing standard, not guilty but mentally ill, and the elimination of the control prong of insanity, (2) choosing an expert and documenting a social history, (3) lay witnesses, (4) the use of objective testing, (5) fighting the “battle of the experts,” (6) the consequences of an insanity finding, (7) jury instructions, and (8) closing argument.
Learning Objectives:
Law Office of Stephen L. Richards
Areas of Practice
• Murder -- Homicide -- Death Penalty Cases
• Serious Felonies
• Drug / Weapons Cases
• Appeals -- Post-Convictions
• Sentencing -- Mitigation
• Civil Rights/1983
• Legal Education
• Legal Ethics
Litigation Percentage
• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Certified Legal Specialties
• Certified Lead Counsel, Capital Litigation Trial Bar, Illinois Supreme Court, 2001
Bar Admissions
• Illinois, 1985
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2008
Education
• Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York
o J.D. - 1983
o Honors: Order of Barristers, Moot Court
• University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
o B.A.
o Honors: With Honors
o Major: History
Published Works
• Reasonable Doubt Redux, 34 John Marshall L. Rev. 495, 2001
• The Admissibility of Expert Testimony, American Bar Association, 2003
Representative Cases
• People v. Terry Griggs, 152 Ill.2d 1, 604 N.E.2d 257 (Ill. S. Ct. 1992)
• People v. Arthur King, 154 Ill.2d 217, 608 N.E.2d 877 (Ill. S. Ct. 1993)
Classes/Seminars
• New Ideas for Jury Selection, Illinois Public Defender Association, 2007
• Capital Jury Selection, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal, 2007
Honors and Awards
• Kutak-Dodds Award, Defender Prize, National Legal Aid and Defender Association, 2003
Professional Associations and Memberships
• Illinois Public Defender Association, President, 2006 - 2008
• Illinois Public Defender Association, Board Member, 2000 - Present
Past Employment Positions
• Office of the State Appellate Defender, Deputy Defender, 2000 - 2008
• Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender, Assistant Public Defender, 1989 - 2000
Very interesting stories!
Interesting presentation.
Nice, succinct presentation of a subject I would have thought I had no interest in. Bring this presenter in again.
Interesting topic
Excellent presentation. Terrific caselaw history.
good presentation of tricky subject
Excellent course. The history of the defense is fascinating.
Very interesting with instructor revealing his experience and also dealing with expert witnesses.
Stephen Richards' vast experience makes all his presentations interesting.
Informative
very knowledgeable speaker
well researched
Interesting.
This is a really good lecture reminding us how hard it is to succeed with an insanity defense.
Interesting material and really enjoyed the speaker
decent lecture on complicated topic
Very interesting. Excellent presentation.
Love the joke.
The speaker was very good and held my interest.
I thought this was extremely practical and the professor was very articulate.
I have already recommended this course.
Outstanding! One of the best presenters Inhave heard on Lawline. Clear, engaging, real world examples. Very thoughtful. He takes a humane view, but also a realistic one. I will look for more courses by this presenter.
I again enjoyed and learned from this instructor. I never practiced criminal law, but I found his lectures to be enlightening.
This is the third session I have listened to by this presenter. He is very good.
Very enjoyable. Crim Law in law school, at least for me, did not go over the history and evolution of insanity. This is because of the same reasons explained in the course, it is rare, and almost never succeeds. Still, I found the subject interesting and appreciate the ability to finally learn more on the subject.
Great illustrations and practice tips.
Informative
