---
title: "Federal Competency and Insanity Statutes"
citation: "18 U.S.C. §§ 17, 4241–4243, 4247"
authority_id: "AUTH-USC-18-17-4241-4243-4247"
authority_type: "statute"
jurisdiction: "federal_nationwide"
precedential_status: "binding_enacted_positive_law_title"
official_url: "https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/18/4241"
url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/authorities/AUTH-USC-18-17-4241-4243-4247/"
legal_review: "2026-08-25"
links_checked: "2026-10-15"
links_available: 1
links_checked_count: 1
license: "CC BY 4.0"
---

# Federal Competency and Insanity Statutes

## Propositions supported

Federal insanity elements and burden; competency trigger, hearing, proof, restoration, and recovery; insanity examination and special verdict; acquittee hearing, burden, commitment, and release; examination periods, reports, and hearing rights.

## Material limitations

Diagnosis, restoration probability, dangerousness, facility placement, medication, privilege, circuit procedure, and the omitted §§ 4244–4246 require their own facts and authority.

## Official sources

- <https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/18/17>
- <https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/18/4241>
- <https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/18/4242>
- <https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/18/4243>
- <https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/18/4247>


## Used in

- [Competency, Insanity Procedure, and Speedy Trial](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/20-pretrial/competency-insanity-and-speedy-trial.md)