What is an insanity defense in criminal defense law?

An insanity defense is a legal defense used in criminal defense law to argue that an individual accused of a crime was not responsible for their actions due to a mental illness or defect. In the state of Florida, the insanity defense is also known as "the insanity of the accused". Under this defense, the accused must demonstrate that at the time of the crime, they were unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of their actions due to their mental illness or defect. This is commonly known as the ‘irresistible impulse’ defense because it argues that the person could not control their behaviour due to their mental illness. In order to prove the insanity defense, the accused must present evidence that they had a recognized mental illness diagnosed by a qualified mental health expert, that the illness caused them to be unaware of the wrongfulness of their actions at the time of the crime, and that the illness was severe enough to prevent them from exercising self-control. If the accused is successful in proving the insanity defense, they may be found not guilty of the crime. Alternatively, the accused may be found guilty, but due to their mental illness, they may be committed to a psychiatric hospital rather than to jail. In Florida, an insanity defense is rarely successful. This is because the legal standard is quite high and proving the defense is difficult. If the accused is found guilty despite the insanity defense, they can still be sentenced and subjected to the same punishment as any other criminal.

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What is an insanity defense in criminal defense law?

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