Legal Question in Criminal Law in Arizona

What is the definition of insanity?

My boyfriend has an interesting take on the legal system.

We disagree over the definition of insanity. He thinks that a

person that commits ANY crime is insane (because that

person isn't in a rational state of mind). That to me says

that the perpatrator didn't know the difference between

right and wrong. I say there is a difference between

someone who's insane and not insane. Can someone be

sane and still commit serious crimes? Or, are they too

insane? Who's right?


Asked on 3/15/02, 2:29 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: What is the definition of insanity?

The problem is you are confusing various definitions of insanity - popular, psychological and legal. In the legal system the latter is the only one which counts.

Not many would argue that Andrea Yates was psychologically insane when she killed her children. By definition, no normal mother would do such a thing, and her particular illness was diagnosed as severe post-partum depression.

Legally, however, it was required only that she understand at the time of the commission of the crime that what she was doing was wrong. That was established and she was convicted.

So, understanding the legal definition of insanity [did the person understand the difference between right and wrong and know that the act was wrongful] and that the popular and psychological definitions are different, should resolve your debate.

People who are legally sane commit crimes and are punished for them daily.

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Answered on 3/16/02, 11:13 am


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