Learn What It Really Means to Plead Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity in California

Learn What It Really Means to Plead Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity in CaliforniaIf you’ve been charged with a crime in California, you’re probably considering your options. A plea of insanity is something that many people ponder. While this may appear to be a possibility, and it is in theory, it is so difficult to prove and so unlikely to succeed that we do not encourage it at Chambers Law Firm. Continue reading to discover more about it, and then contact a criminal defense attorney for a free consultation by calling us at 714-760-4088.

In criminal proceedings, there are five possible pleas

In California, you have five options for pleading guilty to criminal charges:

  1. Guilty
  2. Not guilty
  3. A former judgement of conviction or acquittal of the offense charged
  4. Once in jeopardy
  5. Not guilty by reason of insanity

It’s worth noting that pleading insanity has nothing to do with establishing whether or not a person is guilty. A person who is declared mad and then commits a crime is presumed guilty by definition. They do not, however, deal with the same kind of penalties that a different plea could entail.

Understanding the definition of insanity

If a defendant does not fulfill one of the following qualifications, they are declared insane under California law: every defendant must comprehend the nature and significance of the conduct they committed, and each defendant must be able to distinguish between right and wrong.

The procedure of declaring a plea of insanity begins during the defendant’s arraignment hearing. If they can persuade a jury that they are not guilty due to insanity, they will be sent to a state hospital rather than prison. Remember that if a person pleads not guilty by reason of insanity, they aren’t getting off easy.

If a defendant is found not guilty by reason of insanity, they will almost always be sent to a state mental institution until authorities determine that they are no longer a danger to themselves or others. This might result in a life sentence in a mental institution.

Addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is not the same as insanity

While it’s true that mental health disorders and drug/alcohol addiction are frequently linked, a person cannot be found not guilty by reason of insanity just because they were addicted to drugs or alcoholics at the time the crime was done. However, in specific cases, involuntary intoxication, or even voluntary drunkenness, may be used as a legal defense.

Working with a criminal defense attorney will help you figure exactly what your best defense is. We provide a free consultation at Chambers Law Firm. We’ll evaluate your situation and inform you of your alternatives. Check out our case results to discover more about our prior experience and results, and then call us at 714-760-4088.

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