GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) | Re: Insanity at the time of the offense, we are told, relieves

Insanity at the time of the offense, we are told, relieves the offender of criminal responsibility. This may mean either that “insanity” is to serve as evidence that precludes establishing—by leaving in doubt—some material element of an offense, or that “insanity” is to serve as a defense to a crime, even though each of its elements can be established beyond doubt, to protect a preferred value threatened by the imposition of an authorizedsanction.

Which of the following may be assumed from the preceding passage?