Media Release
August 9, 2004
When a state of mind meets the laws of the state
He was 17 and had been taking crystal meth with friends all night at a house party – as daylight broke he jumped in the car and, imagining he was in hot pursuit from men who would beat him up, drove the car into a park killing an older couple taking their dog for an early morning walk.
So is he a murderer?
Just when does diminished responsibility kick in and what is the
relationship between states of mental incompetence and legal
culpability?
In a society where mental illness is one of the fastest growing health issues, understanding where the state of mind meets the laws of the state is fraught with complexity.
UniSA and the Hawke Research Institute presents Baroness Professor Susan Greenfield, Adelaide’s current Thinker in Residence, who will deliver a free public forum on these issues on Tuesday August 10, 7.10pm at the University of South Australia’s Magill campus, Amy Wheaton Building (H1-44 Lecture theatre).
The debate will be especially significant in South Australia following the state government’s recent announcement of a review of how the mental health and justice systems work together and the Opposition’s call for increased security of mental health patients following another escape from Glenside hospital’s secure ward.
Prof Susan Greenfield, a world-leading expert on the human brain who is in Adelaide looking at the future of science development and promotion in the state, will set the scene for the interactive forum on the theme of Neuroscience and the law: when are you accountable?
The forum will also involve a panel of eminent local speakers – the Honourable Justice John Perry, Supreme Court of SA; Dr Gerard O'Brien, Philosophy, University of Adelaide; Ms Karen Heseltine, Forensic Psychologist, UniSA; Professor Sandy McFarlane, Psychiatrist, Adelaide University and the facilitator Dr Rick Sarre, UniSA – who will lead the discussion, raise issues and take questions from the audience.
Hot issues on the list are:
- Why are some people accountable and others are not?
- Do drugs diminish your responsibility legally or morally?
- Is ‘road rage’ an appropriate excuse for committing a crime?
- How do you protect the community as well as the rights of the mentally ill?
- At what age are you responsible for your criminal actions?
- Is there ever a reason for criminal conduct?
FREE ADMISSION BUT BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL
Book via the Hawke Research Institute registration RSVP line (08) 8302 4001 or email debro.thaw@unisa.edu.au
Further information
- Professor Alison Mackinnon office (08) 8302 4370 email alison.mackinnon@unisa.edu.au
- Debro Thaw, Hawke Research Institute (08) 8302 4370 email debro.thaw@unisa.edu.au
- Hawke Research Institute http://www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au/institute/events.htm#Forthcomingevents
- Adelaide Thinkers in Residence http://www.thinkers.sa.gov.au/
Media contact
- Emma Masters office (08) 8302 0096 mobile 0403 007 723 email emma.masters@unisa.edu.au