Crime of passion

A Affekttat or an affect offense is an offense at the existence of which a significant psychological burden of the perpetrator is considered to be a contributory cause. The offender may blame incapable or limited criminal responsibility be in the sense of " profound disturbance of consciousness ," according to § 20 and § 21 of the Criminal Code under these circumstances. The assessment of whether such a condition existed at the time of the offense, is often the task of psychiatrists or psychologists.

The term generally describes a mood affective arousal. To a Affekttat but lead only certain emotions, such as jealousy.

Approximate equivalent of Affekttat in criminal law of other countries are:

• France: Crime assessed passionnel, usually translated as " crimes of passion ", traditionally applied especially to acts of jealousy and mild
• USA: Temporary insanity, as the defense argument first used in 1859 in the process of Daniel E. Sickles, who had murdered his wife's lover, then applied more frequently, especially in the 1930s and 1940s