NGRI
Also written as: NGRI — Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity verdict indicating the defendant committed the act but was legally insane at the time.
Full Definition
NGRI (Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity) is a legal verdict that acknowledges the defendant performed the criminal act but was suffering from severe mental illness that prevented them from understanding the nature and quality of their actions or knowing that their actions were wrong. Following an NGRI verdict, defendants are typically committed to secure psychiatric facilities rather than prisons. The specific criteria for insanity vary by jurisdiction, with some following the M'Naghten rule, others using the Model Penal Code test, or variations thereof. Forensic psychiatrists play crucial roles in evaluating defendants' mental states and providing expert testimony regarding their sanity at the time of the offense.
Usage
Usage note: Always spelled out in formal legal documents, abbreviated in case notes and informal communication.
In Context
- "The jury returned an NGRI verdict after extensive psychiatric testimony about the defendant's schizophrenia." — Court reporting
- "NGRI acquittees are subject to civil commitment procedures rather than criminal sentencing." — Legal analysis