# 13 V.S.A. § 4801: Test of insanity in criminal cases

> Vermont · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4801

## Section

- **Citation:** 13 V.S.A. § 4801
- **Heading:** Test of insanity in criminal cases
- **Jurisdiction:** Vermont
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** VT Code / Title 13 / Chapter 157 / Section 4801

## Text

(a) The test when used as a defense in criminal cases shall be as follows:

(1) A person is not responsible for criminal conduct if at the time of such conduct as a result of mental disease or defect the person lacks adequate capacity either to appreciate the criminality of the person's conduct or to conform the person's conduct to the requirements of law.

(2) The terms “mental disease or defect” do not include an abnormality manifested only by repeated criminal or otherwise antisocial conduct. The terms “mental disease or defect” includes congenital and traumatic mental conditions as well as disease.

(b) The defendant shall have the burden of proof in establishing insanity as an affirmative defense by a preponderance of the evidence. The defendant shall be responsible for hiring the defendant's own forensic evaluator for the purpose of establishing insanity, provided that the Office of the Defender General shall pay for the evaluation of an indigent defendant.

## Nearby sections

- [13 V.S.A. § 4801 § 4801. Test of insanity in criminal cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4801.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4802 § 4802. M'Naghten test abolished](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4802.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4814 § 4814. Order for examination of competency](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4814.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4815 § 4815. Place of examination; temporary commitment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4815.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4816 § 4816. Scope of examination; report; evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4816.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4817 § 4817. Competency to stand trial; determination](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4817.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4818 § 4818. Failure to indict by reason of insanity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4818.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4819 § 4819. Acquittal by reason of insanity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4819.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4820 § 4820. Hearing regarding commitment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4820.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4821 § 4821. Notice of hearing; procedures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4821.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4822 § 4822. Findings and order; persons with a mental illness](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4822.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4823 § 4823. Findings and order; persons with an intellectual disability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4823.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4824 § 4824. Reporting; National Instant Criminal Background Check System](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4824.md)
- [13 V.S.A. § 4825 § 4825. Persons prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms due to mental illness; petition for relief from disability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4825.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T13_C157_S4801. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.