Diminished Responsibility

Diminished responsibility is a legal concept used in criminal law to reduce the culpability of a defendant who may not have been fully in control of their actions at the time of the crime due to mental illness or impairment. It does not absolve the individual of all responsibility but acknowledges that their mental state significantly affected their ability to understand or control their behavior. This defense can lead to a lesser charge or sentence, rather than a complete acquittal, recognizing the impact of mental health on criminal behavior.