Davis v. United States (1895)

Davis v. United States, 160 U.S. 469 (1895), is a criminal case establishing that in a federal case, the prosecution bears the burden of proof of sanity if an insanity defense is raised.^{[1]: 17 } It is a common law ruling that sets precedent in federal court, but is not a constitutional ruling interpreting the United States Constitution, so does not preclude states from requiring defendants to prove insanity, even to the point of requiring defendants to prove insanity beyond a reasonable doubt, as in Leland v. Oregon (1951).^{[1]: 17 }

Full case nameDavis v. United States

Citations160 U.S. 469 (more)

16 S. Ct. 353; 40 L. Ed. 499; 1895 U.S. LEXIS 2370

MajorityHarlan, joined by unanimous

Quick facts Submitted October 30, 1895 Decided December 16, 1895, Full case name ...

Davis v. United States
Supreme Court of the United States
Submitted October 30, 1895 Decided December 16, 1895
Full case name	Davis v. United States
Citations	160 U.S. 469 (more) 16 S. Ct. 353; 40 L. Ed. 499; 1895 U.S. LEXIS 2370
Court membership
Chief Justice Melville Fuller Associate Justices Stephen J. Field Â· John M. Harlan Horace Gray Â· David J. Brewer Henry B. Brown Â· George Shiras Jr. Edward D. White
Case opinion
Majority	Harlan, joined by unanimous

Close