Criminal and legal responsibilities in Tourette's syndrome

Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci. 2009;46(3):221-5.

Abstract

Tourette's Syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by the presence of multiple involuntary motor tics accompanied by one or more vocal tics. Articles about TS and criminal responsibility and the restriction of civil rights are limited. A person with TS was evaluated to consider his criminal responsibility after swearing at a referee during a football game. He was also evaluated as to whether or not he was capable of professionally driving a service bus. Additionally, medico-legal situations regarding military service, obtaining a shotgun license and marriages of patients with TS were considered.

MeSH terms

  • Automobile Driving / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Civil Rights / statistics & numerical data*
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Echolalia / diagnosis
  • Echolalia / psychology
  • Humans
  • Insanity Defense*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Social Responsibility
  • Tourette Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Tourette Syndrome / psychology
  • Turkey