insanity defense (redirected from Criminally insane)

defense /de·fense/ (de-fens´) behavior directed to protection of the individual from injury.

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character defense  any character trait, e.g., a mannerism, attitude, or affectation, which serves as a defense mechanism.

insanity defense  a legal concept that a person cannot be convicted of a crime if he lacked criminal responsibility by reason of insanity at the time of commission of the crime.

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insanity defense

Forensic psychiatry A legal defense that a person cannot be convicted of a crime if he lacked criminal responsibility by reason of insanity–a term defined as a matter of law; the premise is that where there is no mens rea because of insanity, there is no criminal responsibility. See American Law Institute Formulation, Durham Rule, Irresistible impulse test, Long Island Rail Road massacre, M'Naughton Rule. Cf 'Black rage' defense, Television intoxication, 'Twinkie' defense.