APPRECIATION TEST

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. • 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. [Cases: Criminal Law    48.] [Blacks Law 8th]