Durham Rule

The Durham Rule is a legal principle used to determine whether a person can be held criminally responsible for their actions if they were experiencing a mental illness at the time of the crime. Established in 1954, it asserts that an individual is not guilty if their mental condition prevented them from understanding the nature of their acts or distinguishing right from wrong. Essentially, the rule emphasizes the impact of mental health on behavior, recognizing that those with severe mental disorders may lack the ability to control their actions or comprehend their consequences.