James Kraig Kahler v. State of Kansas: On Writ of Certiorari to the Supreme Court of the State of Kansas

23 Pages Posted: 21 Aug 2019 Last revised: 13 Sep 2019

See all articles by Steven J. Twist

Steven J. Twist

Services Group of America

Paul G. Cassell

University of Utah - S.J. Quinney College of Law

Allyson N. Ho

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Bradley Hubbard

University of Chicago - Law School

John Ehrett

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Date Written: August 19, 2019

Abstract

This amicus brief filed in U.S. Supreme Court case of Kahler v. Kansas discusses how states (such as Kansas) are free under the Constitution to structure so-called “insanity” issues in various ways. In particular, states are free, if they choose, to require criminal defendants to prove that a mental disease or defect rose to the level of preventing the defendant from forming the required mens rea to commit the crime. In making such choices, it is important that states do not overlook the interests of crime victims, who want to see criminals held properly accountable for crimes they have committed.

Keywords: Kahler v. Kansas, insanity defense, crime victims’ rights

Suggested Citation

Twist, Steven J. and Cassell, Paul G. and Ho, Allyson N. and Hubbard, Bradley and Ehrett, John, James Kraig Kahler v. State of Kansas: On Writ of Certiorari to the Supreme Court of the State of Kansas (August 19, 2019). University of Utah College of Law Research Paper No. 323, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3439725 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3439725

Steven J. Twist

Services Group of America ( email )

United States
602-418-8782 (Phone)

Paul G. Cassell (Contact Author)

University of Utah - S.J. Quinney College of Law ( email )

383 S. University Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0730
United States
801-585-5202 (Phone)
801-581-6897 (Fax)

Allyson N. Ho

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP ( email )

Bradley Hubbard

University of Chicago - Law School ( email )

1111 E. 60th St.
Chicago, IL 60637
United States

John Ehrett

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP ( email )

1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States

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