automatism definition – automatism defined

automatism n. Unconscious *involuntary conduct caused by some external factor.

A person is not criminally liable for acts carried out in a state of automatism, since

his conduct is altogether involuntary. Examples of such acts are those carried out

while sleepwalking or in a state of concussion or hypnotic trance, a spasm or reflex

action, and acts carried out by a diabetic who suffers a hypoglycaemic episode.

Automatism is not a defence, however, if it is self-induced (for example, by taking

drink or drugs). When automatism is caused by a disease of the mind, the defence

may be treated as one of *insanity. Mere absent-mindedness, even when brought

about by a combination of, for example, depression and diabetes, is not regarded as a

defect of reason under the defence of *insanity. It may, however, be grounds for

concluding that the accused was not capable of having the necessary *mens rea at

the time of the offence.