criminal insanity
Courtroom mental defense
Criminal insanity is a legal defense holding that a defendant cannot be held responsible for a crime because mental illness prevented them from understanding their actions or distinguishing right from wrong.
The standard varies by jurisdiction but generally requires severe impairment at the time of the offense.
A successful plea typically results in commitment to a psychiatric facility rather than prison: The jury found him not guilty by reason of criminal insanity.
- psychosisSevere reality detachment
- irresistible impulseUrge defying self-control
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- recidivismHabitual return to crime
- delusional disorderPsychiatric condition featuring persistent false beliefs
rehabilitation · malingering · bipolar disorder · public safety · stigma · human rights · dissociative identity disorder · psychiatric evaluation · cognitive impairment · personality disorders · moral culpability · mental health court · state hospital · forensic evaluation · psychopathy · deinstitutionalization · Hinckley · Son of Sam
- forensic psychologyforensic evaluation, forensic interview, psychological assessment, forensic psychiatry, competency exam
criminal insanitycriminal responsibility
Liability for unlawful acts
mental competence · sound mind · mens rea · guilty mind · competency
criminal insanitymoral responsibility
Ethical answerability for actions
willful misconduct · malice aforethought · premeditation · intentional harm
criminal, crimes, criminals, criminally, criminality, criminalize, criminalized, criminalizing, criminalization