Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984

Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984

(kom-prē-hen'siv krīm kon-trōl' akt), A standard applied to defendants tried in U.S. federal courtrooms that allows an affirmative defense, if, at the time of the crime, "the defendant, as a result of severe mental disease or deficit, was unable to appreciate the nature and quality or wrongfulness of his acts; mental disease, or defect does not otherwise constitute a defense."
See also: American Law Institute rule, Durham rule, M'Naghten rule, criminal insanity.