A finding of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) in a criminal case may occur if a person accused of a crime was, at the time of the act underlying the charge, unable to perceive the nature and quality of the act or unable to tell right from wrong with respect to the act because of a mental condition.  In Washington, a person is acquitted of the crime (they are not culpable for the crime) but found NGRI, a legal finding which can and often does lead to civil commitment pursuant to RCW 10.77.

In this CLE, Jennifer Bartlett, an experienced criminal defense attorney and Managing Attorney of the State Office of Public Defense NGRI program, will provide an overview of what attorneys and defense team members need to know about what happens following an insanity acquittal related to the commitment of their client. Attorneys will hear advice and tips for handling an insanity case prior to the entry of the not guilty by reason of insanity plea or trial, and will learn what the process will be for the client on the other side of that finding.

1.0 Law and Legal credit has been requested from the bar.

To register, please write to [email protected] with “NGRI” in the subject line.