Diminished capacity

{
  "id": "MLC-T-LAW-001616",
  "term": "Diminished capacity",
  "field": "Law",
  "definition": "A legal defense in criminal law asserting that a defendant, due to a mental defect or illness, lacked the mental state required for a particular crime, even if not legally insane. This defense can reduce the severity of the charge, such as reducing murder to manslaughter, by negating the specific intent element of the crime. It differs from the insanity defense, which argues for a complete lack of criminal responsibility.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/law/diminished-capacity/"
}