McNaughton verdict

The McNaughton verdict refers to the legal standard used to determine whether a person accused of a crime is not criminally responsible due to mental illness. It states that a person cannot be convicted if, at the time of the crime, they were suffering from a mental disorder that impaired their understanding of what they were doing or that it was wrong. Essentially, it focuses on whether the individual was mentally capable of understanding their actions, rather than just the act itself. This principle helps courts decide if someone should be held accountable or treated in a psychiatric facility.