GBMI
Law & Legal abbreviation · Criminal Law
| Stands for | Guilty but mentally ill |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
GBMI stands for Guilty but mentally ill, a criminal law abbreviation.
Verdict available in some states that finds a defendant guilty and criminally responsible while recognizing a mental illness that fell short of legal insanity. The defendant is sentenced like any other offender but may receive psychiatric treatment in custody.
Example: The jury rejected the insanity defense but returned a GBMI verdict on the assault charge.
Usage notes
Michigan introduced the verdict in 1975, and a number of states followed, often after high-profile insanity acquittals. Critics argue it confuses jurors and adds little, since treatment is not guaranteed. It differs from NGRI, which results in acquittal and commitment.
Related abbreviations
More criminal law abbreviations
- cr – Criminal (case-type code)
- CW – Cooperating witness
- DOC – Department of Corrections
- DPA – Deferred prosecution agreement
- DV – Domestic violence
- FTA – Failure to appear
- GCT – Good conduct time
- GJ – Grand jury
- IAC – Ineffective assistance of counsel
- IST – Incompetent to stand trial
- LWOP – Life without parole
- Misd. – Misdemeanor
See all 46 criminal law abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.