Criminal Responsibility

Actus Reus

A term meaning 'guilty act'; refers to the action or omission that constitutes an offense.

Mens Rea

A term meaning 'guilty mind'; refers to the mental state or intention behind committing a crime.

Insanity Defense

A legal defense asserting that a defendant was unable to understand the nature or wrongfulness of their actions due to mental illness.

NGRI

Not guilty by reason of insanity; a verdict in which a defendant is found not guilty because of a severe mental disease or defect.

M’Naghten Standard

A legal standard for insanity; states that a defendant is not responsible for a crime if, at the time of the act, they were unable to understand right from wrong due to a mental defect.

Irresistible Impulse Test

A legal test that assesses whether a defendant was unable to control their actions or conform their conduct to the law due to mental illness.

Durham Rule

A legal standard that states a defendant is not criminally responsible if their unlawful act was the product of mental illness.

Competency to Stand Trial

A legal determination of a defendant's ability to understand the nature of the legal proceedings and assist in their defense.

Insanity Reform Act of 1984

Legislation that revised the criteria for the insanity defense in federal courts, emphasizing 'severe mental disease or defect'.

Guilty But Mentally Ill (GBMI)

A verdict that indicates a defendant is guilty of a crime but was mentally ill at the time of the offense.