Discuss a case in which a defense attorney argued that due to some impairment their client was not capable of freely choosing to commit the crime.

The notion that a defendant effectively lacked free will when he or she committed a crime has been used (with varying degrees of success) as a legal defense in criminal cases. For example, defense attorneys have argued that due to impairment by “affluenza”; temporary insanity; or sugary foods–the so-called “Twinkie defense”–their client deserves to be acquitted or charged with a lesser crime. Discuss a case in which a defense attorney argued that due to some impairment their client was not capable of freely choosing to commit the crime. Do you agree that the defendant acted without free choice? Explain why or why not. If so, how should that affect their punishment?

Do you think you have free will? Explain why or why not. Demonstrate your understanding of concepts we have studying in answering the question.
The notion that a defendant effectively lacked free will when he or she committed a crime has been used (with varying degrees of success) as a legal defense in criminal cases. For example, defense attorneys have argued that due to impairment by “affluenza”; temporary insanity; or sugary foods–the so-called “Twinkie defense”–their client deserves to be acquitted or charged with a lesser crime. Discuss a case in which a defense attorney argued that due to some impairment their client was not capable of freely choosing to commit the crime. Do you agree that the defendant acted without free choice? Explain why or why not. If so, how should that affect their punishment?

Do you think you have free will? Explain why or why not. Demonstrate your understanding of concepts we have studying in answering the question.