§ 5-2-312 - Lack of capacity -- Affirmative defense.

5-2-312. Lack of capacity -- Affirmative defense.

(a) (1) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution that at the time the defendant engaged in the conduct charged he or she lacked capacity as a result of mental disease or defect to:

(A) Conform his or her conduct to the requirements of law; or

(B) Appreciate the criminality of his or her conduct.

(2) When the affirmative defense of mental disease or defect is presented to a jury, prior to deliberations the jury shall be instructed regarding the disposition of a defendant acquitted on a ground of mental disease or defect pursuant to 5-2-314.

(b) As used in the Arkansas Criminal Code, "mental disease or defect" does not include an abnormality manifested only by repeated criminal or otherwise antisocial conduct.

(c) When a defendant is acquitted on a ground of mental disease or defect, the verdict and judgment shall state that the defendant was acquitted on a ground of mental disease or defect.