![]() ![]() The M'Naghten rule became the standard for insanity in the United States and the United Kingdom and is still the standard for insanity in almost half of the states. Traditionally, the M'Naghten test has been associated with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders. By focusing exclusively on cognitive incapacity, the M'Naghten test is not well suited for treating more nuanced forms of psychological disorders, particularly those involving volitional impairment. Another prominent criticism takes objection to the categorical approach the M'Naghten test employs. For example, a scholarly debate exists addressing whether the "wrongfulness" central to the M'Naghten analysis comprises tenets of legality or morality. Various legal commentaries have identified theoretical issues within the M'Naghten framework. In these cases, the defendant is often found insane on the grounds that, because "God" commanded the defendant to act,they were unable to recognize the wrongfulness of the act that was carried out. A paradigmatic example of this analysis involves deific decrees. Here, even if the defendant knew what they were doing, they are deemed insane where they were incapable of recognizing the wrongfulness of the action committed. The second component of the test looks to determine if the defendant knew that their actions were wrong. A defendant is not culpable for an act that, because of a psychological infirmity, they did not know they were committing. This conclusion comports with criminal law's fundamental conception of culpability. First, a defendant is deemed insane if they were incapable of knowing what they were doing at the time committing the object offense. The test is bifurcated into two components, each of which is individually sufficient to substantiate an insanity defense. This analysis focuses on an actor's cognition. The rule created a presumption of sanity unless the defense proved "at the time of committing the act, the accused was laboring under such a defect of reason, from disease of the mind, as not to know the nature and quality of the act he was doing or, if he did know it, that he did not know what he was doing was wrong." The "M'Naghten rule" was a standard to be applied by the jury, after hearing medical testimony from prosecution and defense experts. However, the case caused a public uproar, and Queen Victoria ordered the court to develop a stricter test for insanity. The court acquitted M'Naghten "by reason of insanity," and he was placed in a mental institution for the rest of his life. Englishman Daniel M'Naghten shot and killed the secretary of the British Prime Minister, believing that the Prime Minister was conspiring against him. The first famous legal test for insanity came in 1843, in the M'Naghten case. William Freeman(1847) was an important point in the formulation of the insanity defense as the Court held in that case that, even if a defendant is held to be competent enough to stand trial, they can still present evidence during the trial to support their defense of insanity. So long as a defendant is deemed incompetent, the insanity defense becomes moot as the defendant cannot stand trial. The threshold for establishing competency is often identified as notoriously low. ![]() A defendant may move at any time for a hearing to determine competency, which involves the submission of supporting evidence and some form of a psychological evaluation. As articulated by the Supreme Court in Dusky, a defendant is incompetent if they are incapable of rationally communicating with their attorney or rationally comprehending the nature of the proceedings against them. In accordance with due process requirements, a criminal defendant cannot stand trial if they are deemed legally incompetent. CompetencyĪn important procedural corollary to the insanity defense involves the establishment of legal competency, otherwise known as competence, to stand trial. Hinckley, concerning the assassination attempt against then-President Ronald Reagan. ![]() One of the most famous uses of the insanity defense in the U.S. A diminished capacity defense can be used to negate the element of intent to commit a crime. While "reason of insanity" is a full defense to a crime - that is, pleading "reason of insanity" is the equivalent of pleading " not guilty" - "diminished capacity" is merely pleading to a lesser crime. Insanity & Diminished CapacityĪlthough the defense known as " diminished capacity" bears some resemblance to the "reason of insanity" defense (in that both examine the mental competence of the defendant), there are significant differences between them. The insanity defense is classified as an affirmative defense, rather than a partial defense. In an insanity defense, the defendant admits the action but asserts a lack of culpability based on mental illness. The insanity defense refers to a defense that a defendant can plead in a criminal trial. ![]()
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