What constitutes insanity?

The dictionary of law defines insanity as “a 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. Insanity is distinguished from low intelligence or mental deficiency due to age or injury.”

How common are insanity acquittals?

Some studies show this rate as being much lower — closer to 1 in 1000. Public estimates of the number of insanity acquittals are as high as 81 times the actual number.

What is the insanity defense?

An insanity defense has an enormous impact on how the law is applied. A person declared legally insane would not be subject to an identical set of consequences as a person who committed a crime in a clear cognitive state.

What is the difference between mens rea and insanity?

In law, mens rea means having had criminal intent, or a guilty mind, when the act ( actus reus) was committed. A more informal use of the term insanity is to denote something or someone considered highly unique, passionate or extreme, including in a positive sense.

What is feigned insanity?

Feigned insanity is the simulation of mental illness in order to deceive. Amongst other purposes, insanity is feigned in order to avoid or lessen the consequences of a confrontation or conviction for an alleged crime.

Is incurable insanity a medical diagnosis?

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. 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.

What happens if a person is declared legally insane?

A person declared legally insane would not be subject to an identical set of consequences as a person who committed a crime in a clear cognitive state.