{"id":352325,"date":"2023-11-30T08:34:59","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T13:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/the-m-naghten-rule.html"},"modified":"2023-11-30T08:34:59","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T13:34:59","slug":"the-m-naghten-rule","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/the-m-naghten-rule.html","title":{"rendered":"The M’Naghten Rule"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The M'Naghten 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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The M’Naghten Rule is a historic legal test that courts use to decide a criminal defendant’s mental state. It is one of several tests for the insanity defense. Yet, some people believe this rule leads to inaccurate outcomes.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Attorneys may use various defense strategies when defending a client in a criminal case. But despite how movies and television portray it, the insanity defense isn’t easy to use. A criminal defendant must meet the jurisdiction’s definition of legal insanity for a court to find them not guilty because of insanity.<\/p>\r\n

This article focuses on the M’Naghten Rule for determining legal insanity. Whenever a defendant’s mental capacity is in question, legal representation can help them get fair consideration. If you need help with defense strategies, you can get advice from a criminal law attorney<\/a>. <\/p>\r\n

Court Tests for the Insanity Defense<\/h2>\r\n

Courts will determine legal insanity by applying one of the following tests\/rules:
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