What is an insanity defense in criminal defense law?

An insanity defense in criminal defense law, which is the legal system of Kansas, is a defense that a person is not criminally responsible for their actions because they cannot be held responsible due to a mental illness. The defense argues that the defendant could not understand the wrongfulness of their actions due to a mental illness, which then means that the defendant should not be held criminally responsible. In the state of Kansas, the legal requirement for an insanity defense is that the defendant must prove that, at the time of the crime, they had a mental disease or defect that prevented them from understanding the wrongfulness of their actions. Generally, a judge or jury must decide if the defendant was not able to understand the wrongfulness of their actions due to their mental illness. Under the insanity defense, a person is typically not held responsible for any criminal actions stemming from the time of their mental illness. However, the state of Kansas does stipulate that a person cannot be released until they are no longer a threat to society or themselves. If found guilty, the defendant may be hospitalized and treated for the illness until they are no longer considered a danger to society.

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