THE ROLE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY

AUTHOR – KAMALPREET KAUR* & DR SIMRANJIT KAUR**

* STUDENT OF CRIMINAL LAW LL.M 2 YEAR, SCHOOL OF LAW, CT UNIVERSITY, LUDHIANA

** PRINCIPAL OF SCHOOL OF LAW, CT UNIVERSITY, LUDHIANA

EMAIL- BRARADVOCATEKAMALPREET@GMAIL.COM

BEST CITATION – KAMALPREET KAUR & DR SIMRANJIT KAUR, THE ROLE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (6) OF 2025, PG. 359-369, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

1. Abstract

Mental health plays a critical role in determining the level of criminal responsibility, particularly through the legal defenses of the insanity plea and diminished responsibility. These defenses reflect a complex intersection between psychiatry and criminal law, acknowledging that certain mental disorders—such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression—can significantly impair an individual’s judgment, intent, and understanding of right and wrong. As a result, courts must evaluate not only the actions of defendants but also their mental state at the time of the offense. The insanity defense typically asserts that the defendant was unable to appreciate the nature or wrongfulness of their conduct due to a severe mental illness, thereby negating criminal liability. In contrast, diminished responsibility does not absolve the defendant but may lead to lesser charges or mitigated sentences based on reduced culpability. This paper explores how criminal responsibility is assessed through legal procedures that incorporate psychiatric evaluations and expert testimony. By examining case studies, including notable trials where mental illness influenced verdicts, the paper illustrates how judicial outcomes are shaped by both medical diagnoses and legal standards such as the M’Naghten Rules or Model Penal Code criteria. The evolving relationship between mental health and the justice system also raises ethical concerns about accountability, rehabilitation, and public safety, especially when individuals with mental disorders are diverted to mental health treatment instead of incarceration. Legal systems worldwide continue to refine their approaches to ensure fairness while protecting societal interests. The integration of psychological expertise into legal processes has advanced more compassionate and individualized responses to criminal behavior rooted in mental illness.

Keywords: Criminal responsibility, Mental health, Insanity plea, Diminished responsibility, Psychiatry, Judicial outcomes.