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18 U.S.C. § 17

Title 18 Chapter 1 Current through PL 116-220 ~1 min read Last updated: March 30, 2026 View on OLRC →
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§ 17. Insanity defense

  • (a) 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) The defendant has the burden of proving the defense of insanity by clear and convincing evidence.

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