What is the purpose of an insanity defense?

The insanity defense is a legal defense used when a person on trial for a crime argues that they are not responsible for their actions due to mental illness. This defense is generally restricted to defendants that have been diagnosed with a mental illness or other mental disorder that severely affects their cognitive abilities. The purpose of this defense is to acknowledge that due to their mental illness, the accused was not able to obey the law or know that their actions were wrong and immoral. The insanity defense allows the defendant to be acquitted of the crime charged, or at least receive a lesser sentence, due to the fact that they did not have the capacity to understand their actions. In Kansas, the “M’Naghten Rule” outlines the requirements for an insanity defense. The defense must show that the accused had a mental disorder that significantly impaired their capacity to understand their actions, and that the accused did not understand the criminality of their actions. The defense must also demonstrate that this mental disorder caused the accused to not understand the wrongfulness of their actions. In conclusion, the purpose of an insanity defense in Kansas is to allow those who suffer from mental disorders to be judged accordingly. The defendant must be able to demonstrate their mental disorder and how it prevented them from understanding the wrongfulness of their actions. The M’Naghten Rule is used to determine whether the accused meets the requirements for an insanity defense.

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What is the purpose of an insanity defense?

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