English Dictionary
Definition automatism in British English
automatism noun
[uncountable] noun
/ɔːˈtɒmətɪz(ə)m/
1
a defence used in criminal cases where the accused's mental state leads them to commit a crime without knowing they are doing it. Insane automatism is when a person is mentally ill and commits the crime. Non-insane automatism is when the accused was temporarily affected, for example while sleepwalking or suffering from a fit or concussion.
Example
A successful plea of automatism will result in a full acquittal.
Synonyms and related words
