What is the primary focus of the insanity defense?

The primary focus of the insanity defense is to demonstrate the defendant's mental instability at the time the crime was committed. This legal strategy centers on the argument that the individual, due to a severe mental disorder, was unable to understand the nature of their actions or distinguish right from wrong. The goal is to establish that the defendant lacked the requisite mental capacity to be held criminally responsible for their actions, which is a key component of many legal systems' definitions of culpability.

This defense is rooted in the belief that punishment is justified only when a person has the ability to control their behavior and understand the consequences. Thus, a demonstration of mental instability can lead to a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, which typically results in treatment rather than incarceration. This recognizes the complexities of mental health and the differing degrees of responsibility one may have based on their psychological condition at the time of the offense.