New York Law (NYLE) Practice Exam

A showing that the defendant charged with murder in the second degree was experiencing an extreme emotional disturbance at the time he committed the crime could be a basis for what?

1. Reducing the charge to manslaughter

2. Establishing insanity

3. Justifying self-defense

4. Proving duress

The correct answer is: Reducing the charge to manslaughter

A defendant charged with second-degree murder may present evidence of extreme emotional disturbance to potentially reduce the charge to manslaughter. In New York, this concept is found under the definition of manslaughter in the second degree. It involves situations where the defendant acted under the influence of such an emotional disturbance that it negates the element of intent typically required for a murder conviction. The law recognizes that extreme emotional disturbance can stem from circumstances that provoke intense emotional responses, and this can result in a lesser charge of manslaughter, allowing the jury to view the defendant's actions in a different light—viewing the crime as less culpable than murder. The other options revolve around legal defenses or classifications that do not apply in this context. Establishing insanity refers to a defense that the defendant was unable to appreciate the nature of their actions due to mental illness, while justifying self-defense pertains to acts committed to protect oneself from immediate harm. Proving duress involves circumstances where a person is compelled to commit a crime due to threats of serious harm, which does not align with the idea of acting under extreme emotional disturbance.