Insanity in United States
Practical Information
Note: Some of this information was last updated in 1982
A lack of reason, intelligence, and a memory that prevents a person from understanding the nature of his acts or from distinguishing between right and wrong conduct. This legal definition is to be distinguished from the medical idea of insanity, which has to do with a prolonged departure of the individual from his natural mental state. Insanity in law covers nothing more than the relation of the person and the particular act that is the subject of judicial investigation.
A few examples of legal proceedings where insanity may be shown are a criminal proceeding where insanity is alleged as a defense, a proceeding to defeat a WILL on the ground of the insanity of the maker, and a suit to avoid a contract (in U.S. law).
What is Insanity?
For a meaning of it, read Insanity in the Legal Dictionary here. Browse and search more U.S. and international free legal definitions and legal terms related to Insanity.
See Also
Criminal Insanity in this Legal Encyclopedia
Criminal Insanity definition in the Law Dictionary