| When an individual commits a crime but his or her | | | | these cases, the only way the individual can be at |
| defense believes that he or she was not in a clear | | | | peace is to commit the crime, regardless of whether |
| state of mind when the crime occurred, the defense | | | | the individual realizes the act is illegal. |
| may push to make the insanity plea. The insanity plea | | | | In both of these cases, the individual is temporarily |
| may prevent an individual from serving jail time or | | | | impaired and during that period of impairment, he or |
| similar punishments. | | | | she committed the crime. Temporary mental |
| In order to make the insanity plea, the defendant's | | | | impairment is often seen as grounds for dismissal or |
| lawyers will have to prove that he or she suffered | | | | alternative punishment, such as being sentenced to a |
| from temporary insanity, which led him or her to | | | | mental facility. |
| commit the crime. Typically, temporary insanity is | | | | Before making the insanity plea, individuals must |
| defined in one of two ways: | | | | discuss with their lawyers how they can prove this |
| - An individual may suffer temporary mental insanity, | | | | was their case. In many cases, pleading insanity is a |
| which clouds his or her ability to realize that the act he | | | | difficult defense, but it is not impossible if the right |
| or she commits is wrong. In many cases, this effect is | | | | conditions exist. |
| triggered by other conditions and often occurs in the | | | | If you or someone you love committed a crime while |
| heat of the moment. | | | | under temporary insanity, discuss your legal options |
| - An individual may suffer from an irresistible impulse, | | | | with the Champaign-Urbana criminal defense attorneys |
| which causes him or her to obsess over a crime. In | | | | of Thomas A. Bruno & Associates today. |