Insanity Defense

Insanity defense or mental disorder defense argues that the defendant is not accountable for his actions during the criminal act due to a psychiatric illness. This is based on the moral principle that individuals are not responsible for their actions when they lack the necessary capabilities to think rationally. Hence, it is not their intention to cause harm. For instance, Andrea Yates who drowned her five children in their bathtub in 2001 was found not guilty by reason of insanity as it was proven that she was experiencing severe postpartum depression.

Those who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity defense are mandated to undergo psychiatric treatment. Some jurisdictions allow a plead of “guilty but mentally ill” which sentences the defendant to serve the remainder of his sentence after pertinent mental health treatment.