Twinkie Defense Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Twinkie Defense.

Twinkie Defense (noun):

A legal strategy in which a criminal defendant claims to have diminished mental capacity at the time of the crime due to excessive consumption of sugary foods, such as "Twinkies." This defense implies that sugar-induced physiological changes can affect judgment, thereby reducing liability. Made famous in a case involving a San Francisco public official, this unusual defense resulted in a manslaughter conviction instead of a murder charge.