Legal Dictionary of Pakistan

appreciation test

criminal law. a test for the insanity defense requiring proof by clear and convincing evidence that at the time of the crime, the defendant suffered from a severe mental disease or defect preventing him or her from appreciating the wrongfulness of the conduct. 0 this test, along with the accompanying plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, was established by the insanity defense reform act of 1984. 18 usca § 17. - also termed insanity defense reform act of 1984 test. see insanity defense.