Definition Of Insanity Legal Term

Insanity is a mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality cannot manage his her own affairs or is subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior.

Definition of insanity legal term. Miller keane encyclopedia and dictionary of medicine nursing and allied health seventh. Insanity is distinguished from low. Enter a legal term. A continued impetuosity of thought which for the time being totally unfits a man for judging and acting in relation to the matter in question with the composure requisite for the maintenance of the social relations of life.

Insanity is no longer considered a medical diagnosis but is a legal term in the united states stemming from its original use in common law. All words any words phrase. The disorders formerly encompassed by the term covered a wide range of mental disorders now diagnosed as bipolar disorder organic brain syndromes schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. The irony is that until the 1980s the m naghten rule was viewed as the stricter definition of legal insanity.

The lawyers refer to insanity this is a legal term only and one that is not used by the psychiatrist. Mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality cannot conduct her his affairs due to psychosis or is subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior. Prosecutors preferred it to a more liberal formula used by some courts allowing a defendant to mount an insanity defense if he lacked substantial capacity to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law. Insanity in san ĭ te a medically obsolete term for mental derangement or disorder.

In criminal cases a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity will require a trial on the issue of the defendant s. Insanity law and legal definition.