2013 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 17-A: MAINE CRIMINAL CODE
Chapter 2: CRIMINAL LIABILITY; ELEMENTS OF CRIMES
17-A §39. Insanity
Part 1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
39. Insanity
1. A defendant is not criminally responsible by reason of insanity if, at the time of the criminal conduct, as a result of mental disease or defect, the defendant lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the criminal conduct.
[ 2005, c. 263, 5 (AMD) .]
2. As used in this section, "mental disease or defect" means only those severely abnormal mental conditions that grossly and demonstrably impair a person's perception or understanding of reality. An abnormality manifested only by repeated criminal conduct or excessive use of alcohol, drugs or similar substances, in and of itself, does not constitute a mental disease or defect.
[ 1985, c. 796, 5 (AMD) .]
3. Lack of criminal responsibility by reason of insanity is an affirmative defense.
[ 2005, c. 263, 6 (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
1981, c. 324, 14 (NEW). 1985, c. 796, 5 (AMD). 2005, c. 263, 5,6 (AMD).
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