What is an insanity defense in criminal defense law?

An insanity defense is a defense used in criminal law cases where the defendant argues that they were not responsible for their actions due to a mental illness or mental defect. This defense is used in court cases, particularly those involving serious criminal offenses, such as murder or other violent crimes. In Texas, the defense is likely to be used with the burden on the defendant to prove by a preponderance of evidence that due to a mental illness, they were unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of their actions. This means that the defendant will need to give evidence that they were unable to understand that their actions were wrong at the time of the crime. The defense will also need to show that the mental illness was a major factor in the accused’s behavior. If the defense is successful, it is possible for the court to grant a verdict of “not guilty by reason of insanity.” This does not mean that the accused goes free; instead, they will be held in a mental health facility and monitored as needed.

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What is an insanity defense in criminal defense law?

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