Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 17: Insanity defense

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute defines the insanity defense for federal crimes, establishing that severe mental disease preventing understanding of one's acts' nature or wrongfulness is a valid defense, with defendants bearing the burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence.

Read the full statutory text

It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under any Federal statute that, at the time of the commission of the acts constituting the offense, the defendant, as a result of a severe mental disease or defect, was unable to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of his acts. Mental disease or defect does not otherwise constitute a defense. The defendant has the burden of proving the defense of insanity by clear and convincing evidence.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.