Court rule 7:7-4. Notice of Defense of Insanity; Evidence of Mental Disease or Defect

Court rule 7:7-4. Notice of Defense of Insanity; Evidence of Mental Disease or Defect

• (a) Insanity as a Defense. A defendant who intends to claim insanity as a defense, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:4-1, or a lack of the requisite state of mind, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:4-2, shall serve a written notice of that intention upon the prosecuting attorney prior to trial. For good cause shown, the court may extend the time for service of the notice or make such other order as the interest of justice requires. If the defendant fails to comply with this rule, the court may take such action as the interest of justice requires.
• (b) Acquittal by Reason of Insanity. If a defendant interposes the defense of insanity and is acquitted after trial on that ground, the decision and judgment shall include a statement of those facts and the procedure for referral of the defendant as provided by N.J.S.A. 2C:4-8 and 2C:4-9 and R. 4:74-7 shall apply.
• (c) Involuntary Civil Commitments. Rule 4:74-7 shall govern the practice and procedure in the municipal court for the disposition of involuntary civil commitment matters, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 30:4-27.1 et seq.