Diminished capacity defense is available in criminal liability under which description?

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Diminished capacity is a mental-state defense that argues the defendant’s mental condition prevents forming the specific mental state required for the crime, but not to the extent of insanity. This means the defendant isn’t completely excused, but their capacity to form the necessary intent is impaired, usually limiting the defense to specific-intent crimes. In practice, this can lead to conviction on a lesser offense that requires only a lesser mental state (like recklessness or negligence) or negate the more serious charge that hinges on a particular intent. It differs from insanity, which is a full defense to liability, and from voluntary intoxication, which is a separate, often narrower consideration. It also isn’t a valid basis for questioning moral character as a defense.