Automatism Flashcards
1
Q
Automatism
definition
A
State of total blackout, during which a person is not conscious of their actions and not in control of them.
2
Q
Culpability
A
Actions performed in a state of automatism are involuntary and the common law rule is that there is not criminal liability for such conduct
3
Q
Caused by a medical condition
A
Apart from concussion / sleepwalking, automatism may be caused by a brain tumor, epilepsy, alcohol, drugs
4
Q
Alcohol / drugs & automatism
A
Where it is brought on by voluntary intake of alch/drug court may be reluctant to accept that the actions were involuntarily or that the offender lacked intention.
5
Q
Two types of autonamism
A
Sane automatism = result of sleepwalking, blow to the head, effect of drugs
Insane automatism = result of mental disease
