diminished capacity; diminished responsibility
Legal term for a state where mental capacity is significantly reduced, often due to mental illness, intoxication, or other factors, making a person less accountable for their actions. Used in criminal law contexts.
Diminished capacity was recognized, and the sentence was reduced.
The defense argued that the crime was committed in a state of diminished responsibility.
The defendant was assessed to have been in a state of diminished capacity at the time of the offense.
The court reduced the sentence on the grounds of diminished capacity.
Based on the psychiatrist's assessment, the defendant was officially found to have diminished mental capacity.