What is the purpose of an insanity defense?

The purpose of an insanity defense is to protect those people who have committed a crime but were not able to understand the consequences of their actions due to a mental illness or mental disability. In the state of Washington, the insanity defense is rooted in the concept of criminal responsibility. This means that an individual must understand the nature of their actions and that they were wrong in order to be considered legally responsible. The insanity defense is seen as an affirmative defense, which means that the accused must prove that they were not able to understand their actions. To be successful in an insanity defense claim, the accused must be able to present substantial evidence that would show that their mental illness prevented them from understanding the criminal act and the consequences that followed. Thus, the insanity defense is used to protect those individuals who have committed a crime, but who were not able to understand their actions due to mental illness or disability. In Washington and the rest of the United States, there are legal tests used to evaluate the mental state of the accused. These tests are often used to determine if the accused is able to understand the criminal act and the consequences of their actions. If the accused is found to be legally responsible, then the accused may be subject to legal punishment. However, if an individual is found to be not legally responsible, then the insanity defense is used as a means of protection.

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What is the purpose of an insanity defense?

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