The Insanity Plea
We’ve all seen it on television, movies and books: “Not guilty by reason of insanity.” The “insanity plea” is a popular fictional trope, but what does it really mean? If you have been charged with a serious crime in Texas, could you use the insanity plea in your defense? And if so, what impact would it have on your case?
At Paul Morgan Law Office, PLLC, in Houston, Texas, I can answer all of your questions. I am Paul Matthew Morgan. I am board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. As an experienced expert criminal defense lawyer, I have won hundreds of criminal defense cases for my clients. Talk with me. I can help you understand whether the insanity defense is the right choice for your case.
What Is The Insanity Plea?
The idea of the insanity plea is not to say that the accused party did not commit the crime being charged. The plea is saying that the accused did commit the crime, but because of some kind of mental defect or state of insanity, the accused should not be punished for the crime.
In Texas, an accused person needs to provide evidence that he or she was suffering from some kind mental defect or disease that rendered the person unable to distinguish right from wrong regarding the act committed.
This explanation and the statutory language can be misleading, and there are multiple layers of legal precedence and nuance involved.
Using The Insanity Defense To Help You
I have been quite successful in using the insanity defense to help minimize the legal penalties my clients would face. If you talk with me about your case, I can look at the facts and the situation, as well as your history, to determine whether or not this defense would work for you, or if there’s a better strategy for us to employ in your defense.
Whether or not we use the insanity defense, I will find the best strategy possible to get you the outcome you need.
Contact Paul Morgan Law Office, PLLC
To discuss your case with an experienced attorney, call 281-346-4351 or contact the firm online.