Pushing the boundaries of automatism with sexsomnia : R v DB

Journal article

Murphy, Brendon. (2023). Pushing the boundaries of automatism with sexsomnia : R v DB. Criminal Law Journal. 47, pp. 26-41.
AuthorsMurphy, Brendon
Abstract

Automatism is a common law defence based on the principle that a person who commits a crime involuntarily is not criminally responsible for their actions. Over time the doctrine has evolved into distinct categories of sane and insane automatism, without a finding of sane automatism triggering an acquittal, and insane automatism enlivening mental illness provisions. Recently, a phenomenon known as sexsomnia has started to appear in criminal courts as a discrete aspect of the automatism defence. This article examines the decisions in R v DB which resulted in an acquittal and explores some of the problems associated with sexsomnia when the issue comes before criminal courts.

Year2023
JournalCriminal Law Journal
Journal citation47, pp. 26-41
PublisherLawbook Co.
ISSN0314-1160
Web address (URL)https://anzlaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/If30e7e0b3c4411eeb443b943d7b94c44/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default)&VR=3.0&RS=cblt1.0
Page range26-41
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online2023
Publication process dates
Deposited06 Nov 2023
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