2019 US Code
Title 18 - Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Part I - Crimes
Chapter 1 - General Provisions
Sec. 17 - Insanity defense

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Citation 18 U.S.C. § 17 (2019)
Section Name §17. Insanity defense
Section Text

(a) Affirmative Defense.—It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under any Federal statute that, at the time of the commission of the acts constituting the offense, the defendant, as a result of a severe mental disease or defect, was unable to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of his acts. Mental disease or defect does not otherwise constitute a defense.

(b) Burden of Proof.—The defendant has the burden of proving the defense of insanity by clear and convincing evidence.

Source Credit

(Added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §402(a), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2057, §20; renumbered §17, Pub. L. 99–646, §34(a), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3599.)

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 1, Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 17 - Insanity defense
Contains section 17
Date 2019
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 24, 2020
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 98 Stat. 2057
100 Stat. 3599
Public Law References Public Law 98-473, Public Law 99-646
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