Final answer:
The term 'sudden passion' refers to an intense, immediate emotional reaction used as a defense in crimes of passion, indicating a lack of premeditation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term “sudden passion” in a legal context refers to C) a state of intense, sudden, and temporary emotional turmoil that may be used as a defense in crimes of passion. This defense is relevant in situations where an individual commits a crime in response to a provocation that would cause a reasonable person to lose self-control. As opposed to premeditated actions, sudden passion arises at the moment and is not characterized by prolonged emotional disturbance or intent. It contrasts with the state of mood, which refers to a more prolonged and less intense affective state that often isn’t consciously recognized and lacks the intentionality associated with emotion.