not guilty by reason of insanity
- not guilty by reason of insanity
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not guilty by rea·son of insanity
1: a plea by a criminal defendant who intends to raise an insanity defense
— used in jurisdictions that require such a plea in order for an insanity defense to be presented
2: a verdict rendered by a jury in a criminal case that finds that the defendant was insane at the time of committing the crime as determined by application of the test for insanity used in the jurisdiction
compare guilty but mentally ill
◇ A verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity usu. results in the commitment of the defendant to a mental institution. Such a verdict, however, may allow the defendant to be released, sometimes into the custody or care of another (as a family member).
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law.
Merriam-Webster.
1996.
- not guilty by reason of insanity
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A plea entered by a defendant in a criminal trial, in which the defendant claims that he or she was so mentally disturbed or incapacitated at the time of the offense that he could not have intended to commit the crime. A jury that agrees with this plea may find the defendant not guilty by reason of insanity, but usually the defendant faces civil commitment proceedings if the defendant is judged to be dangerous in a subsequent hearing. (
See also: insanity defense)
Category: Criminal Law
Category: Small Claims Court & Lawsuits
Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
Gerald N. Hill, Kathleen Thompson Hill.
2009.
- not guilty by reason of insanity
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n.
plea in court of a person charged with a crime who admits the criminal act, but whose attorney claims he/she was so mentally disturbed at the time of the crime that he/she lacked the capacity to have intended to commit a crime. Such a plea requires that the court set a trial on the issue of insanity alone either by a judge sitting without a jury or by a jury. A finding of insanity will result in a verdict of "not guilty," but, if the condition still exists, it may result in incarceration in a mental facility for the criminally insane or confinement in a mental hospital. If the insanity no longer exists (temporary insanity), the judge has the option to require some psychological therapy, but the treatment varies from state to state. This is not the same as insane at time of trial and thus incompetent to stand trial, which will postpone trial (in all likelihood forever) pending recovery while the defendant is confined to a mental facility.
Law dictionary.
EdwART.
2013.
Look at other dictionaries:
not guilty — n 1: a plea by a criminal defendant who intends to contest the charges compare guilty, nolo contendere ◇ Under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, if a defendant refuses to plead or if the defendant is a corporation that fails to appear the… … Law dictionary
not guilty — Plea entered by the accused to criminal charge. If the defendant refuses to plead, the court will enter a plea of not guilty. See e.g. Fed.R.Crim.P. 11. Also, the form of the verdict in criminal cases where the jury acquits the defendant; i.e.… … Black's law dictionary
not guilty — Plea entered by the accused to criminal charge. If the defendant refuses to plead, the court will enter a plea of not guilty. See e.g. Fed.R.Crim.P. 11. Also, the form of the verdict in criminal cases where the jury acquits the defendant; i.e.… … Black's law dictionary
not guilty — adjective declared not guilty of a specific offense or crime; legally blameless he stands acquitted on all charges the jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity • Syn: ↑acquitted • Similar to: ↑innocent, ↑guiltless, ↑clean handed … Useful english dictionary
insanity — in·san·i·ty n 1: unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or that releases one from criminal or… … Law dictionary
guilty — 1 adj guilt·i·er, est 1: having committed a crime: justly charged with a specified crime guilty of larceny 2: involving guilt or culpability guilty knowledge guilty 2 n 1: a plea of a c … Law dictionary
guilty but mentally ill — n: a verdict available in some jurisdictions in cases involving an insanity defense in which the defendant is considered as if having been found guilty but is committed to a mental hospital rather than imprisoned if an examination shows a need… … Law dictionary
Insanity defense — For similar defences in Canada and Australia, see mental disorder defence … Wikipedia
reason — 1 / ri:zFn/ noun 1 CAUSE (C) the cause or explanation for something that has happened or that someone has done: The reason I bought one was that it was so cheap. | reason (that): The only reason I went was that I wanted to meet your friends. |… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
insanity — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ total ▪ temporary VERB + INSANITY ▪ plead ▪ At the murder trial, he pleaded insanity. ▪ feign … Collocations dictionary
