Texas Penal Code Practice 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Exam!

The basis of the "insanity defense" in Texas Penal Code is that the individual did not know their conduct was wrong due to mental illness. This defense stems from the understanding that a person should not be held criminally liable for actions taken when they are unable to comprehend the nature of their conduct or understand that it is wrong due to a mental illness or defect.

In Texas, this is anchored in the legal standard known as the "M'Naghten Rule," which is used to determine whether a defendant was sane at the time of committing a crime. Under this rule, if it is established that the individual was suffering from a severe mental disease or defect that impaired their ability to understand the wrongfulness of their actions, they may be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

The other options do not accurately reflect the foundational principle of the insanity defense in the context of Texas law. Care of actions and the ability to recall them do not directly relate to the legal implications of mental illness concerning awareness of wrongdoing. Temporary impairment, while it may affect an individual’s capacity at the moment, does not fulfill the rigorous standards required for the insanity defense, which focus on enduring mental illness affecting rationality and moral understanding.