An insanity defense is a means by which guilty people are prevented from serving time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement is false. An insanity defense is a plea used by defendants who argue that, at the time of the offense, they were unable to understand the consequences of their actions or unable to distinguish right from wrong due to a mental illness or defect. It does not prevent guilty people from serving time; rather, it might result in them receiving a different sentence or being treated in a psychiatric institution rather than a prison. Ultimately, it is up to a judge or jury to determine if the defendant's mental state at the time of the crime justifies an insanity defense.

An Insanity Defense Is a Means by Which Guilty People