State v. Hamlet

In State v. Hamlet, 133 Wn.2d 314, 944 P.2d 1026, 1030 (Wash. 1997) (en banc), the Washington Supreme Court opined that, in cases involving claims of diminished capacity or insanity, the defense's evidence concerning the defendant's mental state may be more accurate than the prosecution's evidence. The court ruled, therefore, that, by asserting a defense of diminished capacity or insanity, the defendant waived the attorney-client privilege as to evidence concerning his mental state and the defense was obligated to disclose the evidence to the prosecution. 944 P.2d at 1030.