Automatism

Page 1

Non- insane automatism

It is a crime committed by an involuntary act caused by an external factor

If successful the defendant will be found guilty

Bratty v AG for NI~ Legal Principle- Automatism is "an act which is done by the muscles without any control by the mind

Page 2

Involuntary Act

AG's Reference (No 2 of 19992) - D a lorry driver killed two people on a motorway when his lorry veered into the hard shoulder where they had stopped. He claimed that he was in a trance like state which is a condition known as 'driving without awareness'

Legal Principle- The act must be totally involuntary

External factor

The cause of the automatism must be external ie;

Blow to the head

Hypnotism

Bereavement

Medication

Severe Trauma

Quick-

R v T-

Page 3

Self induced automatism and a specific intent crime

Bailey-

Legal Principle 1-

Legal Principle 2-

Self induced automatism and a basic intent crime

DPP v Majewski-

Legal Principle-

R v Hardie-

Legal Principle-