What is another word for insanity plea?
Pronunciation: [ɪnsˈanɪti plˈiː] (IPA) 
The insanity plea is a legal defense in which a defendant claims to be mentally unstable at the time of the crime, thus rendering them not responsible for their actions. Synonyms for this term include: insanity defense, mental health defense, not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI), and diminished capacity defense. The use of the insanity plea in criminal cases has been controversial, and it is not always successful. However, it provides a way for people with mental health issues to receive appropriate treatment and avoids punishing those who were not in control of their actions. The use of synonyms for the insanity plea reflects different legal systems and approaches to mental health in the criminal justice system.
