# Insanity Defense

**IRI:** https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/Rss8FJTgnn6V9FuSLxl90u

## Labels

**Preferred Label:** Mental Insanity

**Alternative Labels:**

- Insanity

## Definition

The insanity defense is a legal strategy in which a defendant claims that they were not criminally responsible for their actions at the time of the alleged crime due to a severe mental disorder or illness. If successful, this defense can result in the defendant being found not guilty by reason of insanity or being committed to a psychiatric institution rather than being subject to criminal penalties.

## Sub Class Of

- https://folio.openlegalstandard.org/R8mREFTbCVNHGAdqneLSd0d

**Deprecated:** False