diminished responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diminished responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a condition where a person's mental capacity is impaired, affecting their culpability for a crime. Example: "The defendant pleaded not guilty by reason of diminished responsibility, arguing that his mental health issues influenced his actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

See also diminished responsibility.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Are you saying Mr Pistorius had diminished responsibility?," Nel asked.

Independent

He had claimed diminished responsibility for the killings, which he filmed on his iPhone.

The Guardian

The English Homicide Act of 1957 also recognizes diminished responsibility, though to less effect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You don't even get diminished responsibility, unfortunately".

Vice

Dale's defense had claimed diminished responsibility because he was high on mephedrone at the time.

Vice

Dale's defence had claimed diminished responsibility because he was high on mephedrone at the time.

Vice

Expert witnesses at her trial pointed to evidence of borderline personality disorder to argue for diminished responsibility.

Vice

Collaboration implies a different, but not necessarily diminished, responsibility for government and a greater public service function for businesses.

Huffington Post

One other convicted of manslaughter through diminished responsibility, 3 acquitted.

The Guardian

The jury rejected his defense of diminished responsibility.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that expert testimony from psychiatrists or psychologists supports the claim of "diminished responsibility", providing a professional assessment of the individual's mental state.

Common error

Avoid using "diminished responsibility" and insanity interchangeably. While both relate to mental state, "diminished responsibility" implies reduced culpability, whereas insanity can mean complete absolution. Diminished responsibility might lead to a manslaughter conviction instead of murder, whereas insanity may lead to being found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diminished responsibility" functions primarily as a legal term. It identifies a state where a person's ability to understand the consequences of their actions is impaired, leading to reduced culpability for a crime. As Ludwig AI explains, it is frequently used as a defense in court cases.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Vice

5%

Science

4%

The Guardian - Opinion

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "diminished responsibility" is a legal term denoting reduced culpability due to impaired mental capacity. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and very common, predominantly used in news and encyclopedia contexts. As a legal defense, it can lead to a reduced charge, like manslaughter. While it is essential not to confuse it with insanity, understanding its proper application, supported by expert testimony, can prevent misinterpretations and ensure accurate usage in both legal and general discourse. Alternatives include "reduced culpability" and "impaired accountability".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced culpability

Focuses on the reduction in the degree of blameworthiness.

impaired accountability

Highlights the impairment or weakening of the responsibility.

mitigated responsibility

Emphasizes the lessening or alleviation of responsibility.

lessened responsibility

A more direct and simple way of saying responsibility is reduced.

partial responsibility

Indicates that the person bears only a portion of the total responsibility.

attenuated responsibility

Suggests that responsibility has been weakened or made thinner.

compromised responsibility

Implies that responsibility has been negatively affected or impaired.

excuse of mental defect

More explicitly points to a mental condition as the reason for reduced responsibility.

defense of insanity

A legal term indicating lack of legal accountability due to a mental illness.

lack of full capacity

Highlights the absence of complete mental or emotional ability.

FAQs

How is "diminished responsibility" used in legal contexts?

"Diminished responsibility" is a legal defense used to argue that a person's mental state at the time of a crime impairs their culpability, potentially leading to a lesser charge like manslaughter instead of murder.

What are some alternatives to saying "diminished responsibility"?

You can use alternatives like "reduced culpability", "impaired accountability", or "mitigated responsibility" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "diminished responsibility" and "insanity"?

"Diminished responsibility" implies a reduced capacity for understanding the consequences of one's actions, while "insanity" suggests a complete lack of understanding. The former may lead to a reduced charge, the latter to acquittal.

How can a claim of "diminished responsibility" affect a trial?

If a court accepts a claim of "diminished responsibility", it can reduce the severity of the charges against the defendant, potentially leading to a conviction for manslaughter instead of murder, as the defendant's mental state is considered a mitigating factor.