Massachusetts Court System
ON THE RECORD · 3 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“if they lacked criminal responsibility when they committed the offense,”
Massachusetts Court System · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-04
The Massachusetts Court System describes the legal standard under which a person may be found not guilty due to lack of criminal responsibility.
“prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not suffer from a mental disease or defect at the time of the alleged offense.”
Massachusetts Court System · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-04
Jurors are instructed that prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not suffer from a mental disease or defect at the time of the alleged offense.
“prove beyond a reasonable doubt that, even if the defendant suffered from a mental disease or defect at the time of the alleged offense, the defendant nonetheless retained the substantial capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness or criminality of their conduct and to conform their conduct to the requirements of the law.”
Massachusetts Court System · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-04
The state court system describes a second way prosecutors can prove criminal responsibility even if the defendant suffered from a mental disease or defect.