Insanity Defense

In the Hong Kong courts, an insanity defense is a legal strategy whereby a defendant argues that he or she should not be held criminally liable for his or her conduct because he or she suffered from a mental disease or disorder at the time of the commission of the crime. The defense claims that the defendant lacks the mental capacity to understand the nature and consequences of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law.

​

The use of psychiatrists in the insanity defense involves their expertise in assessing the defendant's mental state and condition. Psychiatrists may be called upon to assess the defendant's mental health, conduct psychiatric evaluations, and provide expert opinions about the defendant's mental capacity at the time of the offense. These evaluations can help the court determine whether the defendant meets the legal criteria for insanity and whether they should be held criminally responsible for their actions.