NGRI (Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity)

NGRI, or Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, is a legal defense used in criminal cases. It means that a person committed a crime but, due to a severe mental disorder at the time, did not understand the nature of their actions or could not distinguish right from wrong. If a defendant is found NGRI, they are not held criminally responsible and may be treated in a mental health facility instead of prison. This defense highlights the importance of mental health in assessing culpability in criminal behavior.