Diminished Capacity

Diminished capacity is a defense that implies a psychological impairment of someone accused of committing a crime. This impairment hampered the person's knowledge of right and wrong. This interferes with their comprehension of the crime. Diminished capacity is not the same as legally insane, so the outcome of the trial is different. Legally insane will receive a verdict of not guilty, but will be sentenced to a mental hospital for treatment. Diminished capacity will be convicted on a lesser charge.