substantial capacity test legal definition

A test established by the Model Penal Code for the insanity defense, including elements of the McNaughten rules and the test of irresistible impulse by allowing the court to consider both awareness of wrongdoing and involuntary compulsion. Since 1984, many jurisdictions, including federal courts, have stiffened the rules due to the acquittal by reason of insanity of attempted presidential assassin John Hinkley.