Insanity, according to the dictionary definition, is the derangement of the mind. (Dictionary.com) It's used in an everyday context, when people say "You're crazy for not doing your homework" or "That traffic exiting the game was crazy last night!" ". However, the actual definition, written by Columbia University Press, states that "the term insanity is used primarily in criminal law, to denote mental aberrations or defects which may relieve a person of the legal consequences of his or her actions" (Columbia University, Press ) . This question is very important because many people try to evade the real consequences of their actions, and by using this plea, they sometimes get away with it. The insanity plea has been used repeatedly in American courts, but it should be refuted because of the true legal definition, because many people attempt to feign insanity, and because the social concept of insanity is different of real mental illness. . - On numerous occasions, American courts have publicly expressed their opinion on the insanity plea. On the website of the United States Court of Appeals it is stated that "the court reviewed the case and rendered a decision that a claim of insanity would only prevail if the unlawful act of the l “defendant was the product of mental disease or defect” (United States Court of Appeals, page 1). American court systems have repeatedly stated that just because the accused has a history of mental illness does not mean they are automatically acquitted. The mental illness must have a specific correlation to the crime committed. The Carmela Dela Rosa murder case is an example of this. Dela Rosa was "charged with the murder of 2-year-old Angelyn Ogdoc" (Vatz)... middle of paper ...... backplane. Works CitedBlau, GL, H McGinley and R Pasewark. “Understanding the Use of the Insanity Defense.” Journal of Clinical Psychology 49.3 (1993): 435-440. MEDLINE. May 10, 2014. Columbia, University Press. “Insanity” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th edition (2013) : 1. Internet Historical Reference Center. April 10, 2014. Hartocollis, Anemona (Slaying Suspect Faking Insanity, Doctor Testimony.” New York Times February 15, 2006: Web. “Insanity.” Dictionary.com full version. Random House, Inc. Web. May 1, 2014 “Jury Rejects Insanity Defense in Westchester Case, Convicts Man of Three Slayings” The New York Times December 15, 1995: U.S. Court of Appeals. Angela D. Caesar, Clerk of Court, April 11, 2014. Vatz, Richard E. “The Insanity Plea and Backward Thinking” USA Today Magazine 139.2970 (2011): 66. MASTER FILE Premier Web... 2014.