Clark v. Arizona

Citation

548 U.S. 735 (2006)

Facts

Stub — to be completed.

Issue

Stub — to be completed.

Holding

Stub — to be completed.

Rule

Due process does not require states to adopt the M’Naghten standard for insanity, and states may channel evidence of mental illness solely to the issue of the affirmative insanity defense rather than allowing it to negate the mens rea element of the offense.

Significance

States have broad latitude to define and limit the insanity defense; Arizona’s modified insanity test (only cognitive incapacity, not volitional incapacity) is constitutional; states may also limit how mental illness evidence is used at trial.

Courses