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substantial capacity test
substantial capacity test definition - legal
n
A
test established by the Model Penal Code for the insanity
defense, including elements of the McNaughten rules and the test of
irresistible impulse by allowing the court to consider both awareness of
wrongdoing and involuntary compulsion. Since 1984, many jurisdictions,
including federal courts, have stiffened the rules due to the acquittal by
reason of insanity of attempted presidential assassin John Hinkley.
Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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