Irresistible impulse

Irresistible impulse is a legal defense in criminal law, asserting that a defendant was unable to control their actions or conform their conduct to the law due to a mental disorder. This defense is often used in cases where the defendant acknowledges committing the act but claims they were driven by an uncontrollable urge stemming from a mental illness.

Legal Definition

The irresistible impulse test is one of the standards used to determine legal insanity. Under this test, a defendant may be found not guilty by reason of insanity if they can prove that, due to a mental disease or defect, they were unable to resist the impulse to commit the criminal act, even if they understood that the act was wrong.

Historical Background

The concept of irresistible impulse has its roots in the 19th century. It was first recognized in the United States in the case of Parsons v. State (1887), where the court held that a person could be considered legally insane if they were unable to control their actions due to a mental disorder.

Application in Law

The irresistible impulse test is used in conjunction with or as an alternative to the M'Naghten Rule, which focuses on whether the defendant knew the nature and quality of the act or understood that it was wrong. Some jurisdictions prefer the irresistible impulse test because it addresses the issue of volitional control, which the M'Naghten Rule does not.

Criticisms

Critics of the irresistible impulse test argue that it is difficult to distinguish between an irresistible impulse and an impulse that was simply not resisted. Additionally, there is concern that this defense could be misused by defendants seeking to avoid punishment for their crimes.

Related Concepts

• M'Naghten Rule
• Durham Rule
• Insanity defense
• Diminished capacity
• Temporary insanity

See Also

• Criminal law
• Mental disorder
• Forensic psychology
• Competency evaluation (law)