Question

What is the M'Naghten Rule? How did this rule come into existence?

Criminology?

Answer 1

• The M'Naghten rule talks about the insanity defense plea.As per this rule a criminal is not guilty if at the time of committing the act the defendant did not know the nature or quality of his/her action.

• In other words the criminal committing the crime fails to understand that his/her actions are wrong or is not in a mental state to understand that he/she has committed a crime.

• The test is based on the notion that the defendant is suffering from some disease that makes him incapable of distinguish between right and wrong.
• The rule was formed in the year 1843 by the judges of England,during the trial of Daniel M’Naghten case.
• M'Naghten was charged for attempt to murder Edward Drummond, whom M'Naghten had mistaken for UK Prime Minister Robert Peel.