What defense requires proof that the defendant was not mentally responsible?

What defense requires proof that the defendant was not mentally responsible?

• A. Insanity defense
• B. Remand
• C. Reversible error
• D. Affirm

Answer: (A)

The insanity defense is the one that argues the defendant was not mentally responsible for their actions at the time of the crime. When this defense succeeds, the result is typically not guilty by reason of insanity, reflecting that the person lacked the mental capacity to understand what they did or to distinguish right from wrong. The other options describe procedural or appellate concepts: remand means sending the case back to the trial court for further proceedings; a reversible error is a trial or appellate mistake serious enough to overturn a ruling; and affirm means the appellate court upholds the lower court’s decision. These do not claim a lack of mental responsibility, so they don’t fit.

The insanity defense is the one that argues the defendant was not mentally responsible for their actions at the time of the crime. When this defense succeeds, the result is typically not guilty by reason of insanity, reflecting that the person lacked the mental capacity to understand what they did or to distinguish right from wrong. The other options describe procedural or appellate concepts: remand means sending the case back to the trial court for further proceedings; a reversible error is a trial or appellate mistake serious enough to overturn a ruling; and affirm means the appellate court upholds the lower court’s decision. These do not claim a lack of mental responsibility, so they don’t fit.