What is an insanity defense in criminal defense law?

An insanity defense is a legal defense used in criminal defense law in Massachusetts that allows a defendant to be exempt from criminal liability for their actions if they prove that they were not of sound mind at the time of the alleged offense. This means that even though they may have done something forbidden by law, they can avoid prosecution if they can successfully prove that, at the time of the offense, they were not in their right mind. In most cases, this defense requires that the accused prove that they were in a temporary state of mental illness or incapacity, making it impossible for them to understand that their actions were wrong. This type of defense is rare, since it requires a high level of proof to be successfully argued in court. In some cases, the insanity defense may also be used in conjunction with other defenses, such as self-defense or the claim of involuntary intoxication.

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What is an insanity defense in criminal defense law?

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