What is the difference between a defense of insanity and a diminished capacity defense?

A defense of insanity and a diminished capacity defense are two separate legal defenses available in Washington state for individuals charged with drug crimes. However, they are significantly different. The insanity defense claims that an individual charged with a crime lacked the mental capacity to understand their actions. This means that the accused did not understand that the act was morally or legally wrong and could not intend to commit the crime. This defense is extremely difficult to prove, given the strict standards that must be met to prove an insanity defense. The diminished capacity defense, on the other hand, is used when an individual lacks the ability to form a specific intent due to mental impairment. This means that, while the accused may have been conscious of their actions and able to comprehend right and wrong, they lacked the capacity to form a specific criminal intent due to a mental impairment. This is a much more common defense and is easier to prove than an insanity defense. To summarize, the distinction between an insanity defense and a diminished capacity defense lies in the mental capacity of the accused. An insanity defense claims that an individual did not possess the mental capacity to understand the consequences of their actions, while a diminished capacity defense claims that an individual could understand the consequences of their actions, but lacked the capacity to form a specific criminal intent.

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What is the difference between a defense of insanity and a diminished capacity defense?

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