WRIGHTSMANS PSYCHOLOGY AND THE
LEGAL SYSTEM 9TH EDITION GREENE
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 TESTED QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
⩥ Brawner rule. Answer: this rule states that a defendant isn't
responsible for criminal conduct when, because of a mental disease or
defect, he or she lacks substantial capacity either to appreciate the
criminality (wrongfulness) of the conduct or to conform his or her
conduct to the requirements of the law
⩥ competence. Answer: clinical-legal issue most frequently assessed in
the criminal justice system
⩥ competence to plead guilty. Answer: the ability of a defendant to
understand the possible consequences of pleading guilty to criminal
charges instead of going to trial, and to make a rational choice to the
alternatives
⩥ competence to stand trial. Answer: sufficient present ability to
understand the legal proceedings in which one is involved and to consult
with one's attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding
, ⩥ diminished capacity. Answer: a variation of insanity defense that's
applicable if the defendant (in the words of the law) lacks the ability to
"meaningfully premeditate the crime"
⩥ insanity. Answer: the principle legal doctrine permitting consideration
of mental abnormality in assessing criminal liability; if found not guilty
they are typically required to spend an indeterminate period of treatment
in a secure mental health facility until they are no longer dangerous to
one's self or others
⩥ judicial discretion. Answer: a judge's ability to make decisions guided
by personal values and beliefs (ex. juvenile court judges use discretion
to decide whether a youth should be transferred to criminal court)
⩥ M'Naughten rule. Answer: one test for the insanity defense, under this
rule, defendants may be deemed insane by the court if, because of a
"disease of the mind", they (1) didn't know what they were doing or (2)
didn't know what they were doing was wrong
⩥ mens rea. Answer: a guilty mind; one of two elements that must be
proven by the prosecution (the other being a "guilty act") in order to
obtain a criminal conviction
⩥ prosecutorial discretion. Answer: the authority of prosecutors to make
decisions about certain aspects of criminal proceedings; in the context of
LEGAL SYSTEM 9TH EDITION GREENE
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 TESTED QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
⩥ Brawner rule. Answer: this rule states that a defendant isn't
responsible for criminal conduct when, because of a mental disease or
defect, he or she lacks substantial capacity either to appreciate the
criminality (wrongfulness) of the conduct or to conform his or her
conduct to the requirements of the law
⩥ competence. Answer: clinical-legal issue most frequently assessed in
the criminal justice system
⩥ competence to plead guilty. Answer: the ability of a defendant to
understand the possible consequences of pleading guilty to criminal
charges instead of going to trial, and to make a rational choice to the
alternatives
⩥ competence to stand trial. Answer: sufficient present ability to
understand the legal proceedings in which one is involved and to consult
with one's attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding
, ⩥ diminished capacity. Answer: a variation of insanity defense that's
applicable if the defendant (in the words of the law) lacks the ability to
"meaningfully premeditate the crime"
⩥ insanity. Answer: the principle legal doctrine permitting consideration
of mental abnormality in assessing criminal liability; if found not guilty
they are typically required to spend an indeterminate period of treatment
in a secure mental health facility until they are no longer dangerous to
one's self or others
⩥ judicial discretion. Answer: a judge's ability to make decisions guided
by personal values and beliefs (ex. juvenile court judges use discretion
to decide whether a youth should be transferred to criminal court)
⩥ M'Naughten rule. Answer: one test for the insanity defense, under this
rule, defendants may be deemed insane by the court if, because of a
"disease of the mind", they (1) didn't know what they were doing or (2)
didn't know what they were doing was wrong
⩥ mens rea. Answer: a guilty mind; one of two elements that must be
proven by the prosecution (the other being a "guilty act") in order to
obtain a criminal conviction
⩥ prosecutorial discretion. Answer: the authority of prosecutors to make
decisions about certain aspects of criminal proceedings; in the context of
