18 U.S.C. § 17. Insanity defense
- Affirmative defense.--It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under any Federal statute that, at the time
of the commission of the acts constituting the offense, the defendant, as a result of a severe mental disease or
defect, was unable to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of his acts. Mental disease or defect
does not otherwise constitute a defense.
(b) Burden of proof.--The defendant has the burden of proving the defense of insanity by clear and convincing
evidence.