# Criminal responsibility, not sympathy

Topic: Criminal Responsibility Law
Topic URL: https://lindsay.conspirograph.com/topic/criminal-responsibility-law
Card URL: https://lindsay.conspirograph.com/topic/criminal-responsibility-law/card/33
Markdown URL: https://lindsay.conspirograph.com/topic/criminal-responsibility-law/card/33.md
Updated: 2026-08-12T03:37:55.155Z

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#### Card #08: Criminal responsibility, not sympathy

- URL: https://lindsay.conspirograph.com/topic/criminal-responsibility-law/card/33
- Markdown: https://lindsay.conspirograph.com/topic/criminal-responsibility-law/card/33.md
- Topic: Criminal Responsibility Law
- Updated: 2026-08-12T03:37:55.155Z
- Comments: 0

Summary:

The legal test that controls the defense.

Body:

[VERIFIED FACT] The defense must place criminal responsibility in issue, but the Commonwealth bears the burden of disproving lack of responsibility beyond a reasonable doubt. [Massachusetts model instruction](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/model-jury-instructions-on-homicide-i-criminal-responsibility)

Links:
- https://www.mass.gov/info-details/model-jury-instructions-on-homicide-i-criminal-responsibility

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