the "insanity defense"

The insanity defense is a legal concept used to determine whether a person charged with a crime can be held responsible for their actions. It argues that at the time of the offense, the person was unable to understand the nature or wrongfulness of their behavior due to a severe mental illness or defect. If successful, it may lead to a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, often resulting in mental health treatment rather than punishment. This defense recognizes the impact of mental health issues on accountability but is applied carefully within legal standards.