{"id":352320,"date":"2023-11-30T15:22:42","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T20:22:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/the-durham-rule.html"},"modified":"2023-11-30T15:22:42","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T20:22:42","slug":"the-durham-rule","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/the-durham-rule.html","title":{"rendered":"The Durham Rule"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Durham Rule<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Courts have used several legal tests to determine whether someone whose unlawful acts resulting from a mental defect are responsible for their crimes. These tests consider the defendant’s mental state during the criminal act.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Suppose a court determines an individual is not guilty by reason of insanity. In general, the judge or jury<\/a> can’t convict them for crimes committed as a result of certain mental conditions. This is known as an insanity defense<\/a>.
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There are four main types of tests used for an insanity plea:
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