Insanity is primarily a legal term used to describe a defendant's mental state at the time of committing a crime, indicating they were unable to understand the nature of their actions or distinguish right from wrong. It is not a medical term, and it can be used to excuse criminal liability by affecting the assessment of the defendant's mens rea, or intent, contrary to option C.

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Insanity

Question 33

Multiple Choice

Insanity

A) is a legal term that describes mental illness.
B) is a medical term.
C) does not excuse criminal liability by impairing the mens rea of the defendant.
D) all of the above

Correct Answer: