Question

PLEASE HELP!!!!!
what is insanity defense?
what standards have to be met before a person is judged insane?
do these standards differ from one state to another?

Answer 1

The insanity defense is a legal method that roughly seeks to demonstrate that a defendant has been found to be mentally unfit to stand trial. The defendant cannot participate in the trial (by acknowledging their rights and expressing them; like pleading the 5th) and they are likely to self-incriminate. Many legally defined judgments, like Murder in the 1st Degree require premeditation - that is is the thoughtful and intentional planning of the murder. An insane individual, even a "temporarily insane" individual, usually does not plan the act...but simply does it without regard to consequence.