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U.S. Code/Title 18/§ 17

Title 18

18

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18 U.S.C. § 17.Chapter 1

§ 17

Insanity defense

Title 18
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((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.

§ 16

Release: pl-119-111 (2026-09-18)

§ 18

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