He's usually in private practice for lots of money. He's not some overworked, underpaid schlub.
Agreed as to such a defense actually working, but there are reasons for advancing an argument that do not necessarily rely on it having much likelihood of success. Whether or not it is in the form of an actual insanity defense, it is very likely that the defense and prosecution will both enter psychiatric evidence.
Where it is more likely to have actual impact is at sentencing.
With the latest "Jesus" development, though, it has become more of a minefield, as that is so stereotypically fake insanity it could actually turn the jury against him even further.
And refractory, i.e. otherwise untreatable depression. It is not the shit you saw in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest any more, but it's still generally unpleasant with bad side effects like memory loss. It's quite rare for it to be recommended and it is generally only for otherwise untreatable cases.
It would not be used for autism or goofy beliefs or just being a complete asshole. Autism is a developmental disorder and once you've developed, you're fucked for life. Autists also sometimes degenerate in middle age and can lose whatever coping skills they've learned.
That diagnosis has been abolished. It's now all Autism Spectrum Disorder.
I recommend the Ludovico technique.
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But with ponies and Sonic.
Ordinarily out of court statements are inadmissible but this is a voluntary statement made by Chris that is adverse to his interests, so it is admissible. Admissions of guilt are so contrary to the interests of the person making them that they are seen as reliable, i.e. nobody would say such things unless they were true.
He'd seethe but he'd do it. He let Bell call him an "adult autistic child" even if he didn't like it, because it kept him out of jail. If he's facing life in prison he'll suck a mile of fucking dicks to get out of it. That doesn't mean Heilberg will recommend that of course, but psychiatric evidence is definitely coming in and he isn't going to like any of it.