non compos mentis — Law Dictionary

Definitions from Case Law

From 82 U.S. 9 - Dexter v. Hall · 1872Most cited · 111 citing opinions

a lunatic, or a person non compos mentis, has nothing which the law recognizes as a mind; he is not amenable to the criminal laws, because he is incapable of discriminating between that which is right and that which is wrong.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

One wholly bereft of memory and understanding. See 1 Whart. (Pa.) 52, 29 Am. Dec. 33.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

Lat Not sound of mind; insane. This is a very general term, embracing all varieties of mental derangement. See Insanity. Coke has enumerated four different classes of persons who are deemed in law to be non compotes mentis: First, an idiot, or fool natural: second, he who was of good and sound mind ana memory, but by the act of God has lost it; third, a lunatic, lunaticus -qui gaudet lucidis intervallis, who sometimes is of good sound mind and memory, and sometimes non compos mentis; fourth, one who is non compos mentis by his own act, as a drunkard. Co.. Litt. 247a; 4 Coke, 124.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States

John Bouvier · 1839

persons. These words sienify not of sound mind, memory, or understanding. This is a generic term and includes all the species of madness, whether it arise from 1, idiocy; 2, sickness; 3, lunacy; or 4, drunkenness. Co. Litt. 247; 4 Co. 124; 1 Phillim. R. 100; 4 Com. Dig. 613; 5 Com. Dig. 186; Shelf. on Lunatics, 1; and the articles Idiocy; Lunacy.