Why is the Insanity Defense Important?

The Insanity Defense is important because it allows people who have committed a crime to avoid punishment if they can prove that they were not in their right mind at the time of the offense. This can be important in cases where the defendant may have been suffering from a mental illness or disorder that made them unable to understand what they were doing, or that made them act in a way that was not under their control. While the Insanity Defense is used relatively rarely, it can be vital for those who need it. In many cases, people with mental illnesses are already disproportionately likely to be incarcerated, and the Insanity Defense can help to ensure that they are not unfairly punished for crimes they did not understand or could not control