Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 4242: Determination of the existence of insanity at the time of the offense

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute establishes the procedural process for psychiatric or psychological examination of a defendant who claims insanity as a defense, requiring court-ordered evaluation and reporting.

Read the full statutory text

Upon the filing of a notice, as provided in Rule 12.2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, that the defendant intends to rely on the defense of insanity, the court, upon motion of the attorney for the Government, shall order that a psychiatric or psychological examination of the defendant be conducted, and that a psychiatric or psychological report be filed with the court, pursuant to the provisions of section 4247(b) and (c). guilty; not guilty; or not guilty only by reason of insanity.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

Start your matter free Ask Law Link about this code

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.