To reveal the peculiarities of the reflection of mental disorders in the motives of the offences of patients with mental retardation.

Clinico-psychopathological method of examination.

1 group - 40 patients with light and moderate mental disorders (acknowledged mentally disordered), 2 group - 60 patients with mild mental retardation (acknowledged limited by sane).

The motives of the patients in the first group reflected the difficulties in the understanding of the legal requirements, violations of the forecast of the consequences of their actions, the inner personal factors (weak ability to assert, a violation of the critical function), also took place suggestibility, increased subordination, propensity to impulsive actions. Analysis of criminal acts of 2 group revealed affectogenic motives arising in psychogenic-traumatic situations and situations requiring quick decision-making, personality traits (excitability, cumulation of negative painted experiences, the propensity for aggressive and violent conflict resolution, stiffness, weakness of will skills).