Topic:
Read DPP v Olcer [2003] VSC 457. Discuss the concepts of sane and insane automatism and explore in what ways the accused’s dissociative state could have been relevant in criminal proceedings if medical evidence persuasively supported on the balance of probabilities that a mental impairment led to a dissociative state. Evaluate the evidential and legal proof for establishing the defence of sane or insane automatism.
Word limit
The maximum word length is 3,500 words (excluding bibliography and footnotes).
Referencing requirements
Footnotes should contain citation information only and no narrative text. You are required to reference consistently with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation, fourth edition (AGLC4) and are expected to use pinpoint references (i.e., ones which refer to a specific page or paragraph number) when quoting from or referring to specific material in case, journal, book etc. Do not include materials in your bibliography that you have not used in-text.