Criminal capacity of and criminal justice for offenders with bipolar disorder

Abstract

𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 According to the World Health Organisation, bipolar disorder is the sixth most prevalent disability in the world.¹ Despite this, bipolar disorder remains largely unchartered within the South African juridical landscape. Therefore, the thesis investigates whether sufficient provision is made, both in the context of criminal justice and criminal capacity, for offenders who suffer from bipolar disorder within the South African criminal justice system. In doing so, the criminal justice systems of South Africa, the Netherlands, and the United States of America (USA) are examined, with specific reference to the tests for criminal capacity, relevant legislation, case law, and what constitutes both expert evidence and expert witnesses, respectively.

Sentencing options and alternative sentencing options, as they relate to mentally ill offenders, are also examined. Particular consideration is given to terbeschikkingstelling in the Netherlands and mental health courts in the United States. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of both systems are thoroughly analysed. A proposal for a uniquely South African mental health court model is subsequently put forward, in the hope that this will pave the way in ultimately providing an improved alternative to conventional sentencing for offenders suffering from bipolar disorder. ___________________________________________________________________ 𝑨𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒌𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒔 Volgens die Wêreldgesondheidsorganisasie is bipolêre versteuring die sesde mees algemene gestremdheid in die wêreld.¹ Ten spyte hiervan bly bipolêre versteuring grootliks onbekend binne die Suid-Afrikaanse juridiese landskap. Die tesis ondersoek daarom of voldoende voorsiening binne die Suid-Afrikaanse strafregstelsel gemaak word, beide in die konteks van strafregpleging en kriminele kapasiteit, vir oortreders wat aan bipolêre versteuring ly. Sodoende word die strafregstelsels van Suid-Afrika, Nederland en die Verenigde State van Amerika (VSA) ondersoek, met spesifieke verwysing na die toetse vir kriminele kapasiteit, relevante wetgewing, regspraak, en wat onderskeidelik deskundige getuienis sowel as deskundige getuies uitmaak.

Vonnisopsies en alternatiewe vonnisopsies word ook ondersoek, omdat dit verband hou met geestesongestelde oortreders. Besondere oorweging word gegee aan terbeschikkingstelling in Nederland en geestesgesondheidshowe in die VSA. Daarbenewens word die voor- en nadele van beide stelsels deeglik ontleed. ’n Voorstel vir ’n unieke Suid-Afrikaanse model vir geestesgesondheidshowe word vervolgens voorgelê, met die hoop dat dit die weg sal baan om uiteindelik ’n verbeterde alternatief vir konvensionele vonnisopleggings te bied vir oortreders wat aan bipolêre versteuring ly. ___________________________________________________________________