Definition Of Insanity Defense

Character defense any character trait e g a mannerism attitude or affectation which serves as a defense mechanism.

Definition of insanity defense. However the durham standard drew much criticism because of its expansive definition of legal insanity. The essence of this defense is that at the time of the crime the person did not appreciate the nature or quality or wrongfulness of the acts by reason of his her insanity. Information and translations of insanity defense in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Insanity defense synonyms insanity defense pronunciation insanity defense translation english dictionary definition of insanity defense.

Insanity defense law and legal definition the defense of insanity is asserted by an accused in a criminal prosecution to avoid liability for the commission of a crime. Meaning of insanity defense. Insanity defense a legal concept that a person cannot be convicted of a crime if he lacked criminal responsibility by reason of insanity at the time of. All four of these states with the exception of kansas allow guilty but insane verdicts which often provide for institutionalization in lieu of prison.

A defense asserted by an accused in a criminal prosecution to avoid liability for the commission of a crime because at the time of the crime the person did not appreciate the nature or quality or wrongfulness of the acts. This is contrasted with an excuse of provocation in which the defendant is responsible but the responsibility is. A few states don t allow the insanity defense against criminal charges including idaho kansas montana and utah. The durham standard was a much more lenient guideline for the insanity defense but it addressed the issue of convicting mentally ill defendants which was allowed under the m naghten rule.

The insanity defense also known as the mental disorder defense is an affirmative defense by excuse in a criminal case arguing that the defendant is not responsible for his or her actions due to an episodic or persistent psychiatric disease at the time of the criminal act. Release was only possible on authority of the home secretary. Insanity defense definition of insanity defense by the free dictionary. The defence of insanity is a general defence which is available to all crimes where a defendant is found to be insane the jury are directed to give a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity under s 2 of the trial of lunatics act 1883 this previously meant automatic admittance to secure accommodation.