What is one of the options available to a court if an NCRMD verdict is rendered?

When a court renders a verdict of Not Criminally Responsible on account of Mental Disorder (NCRMD), one of the options available is indeed that the accused can be discharged. An NCRMD verdict does not imply that the accused is guilty in the conventional sense; rather, it indicates that they were unable to appreciate the nature of their actions or understand that what they were doing was wrong due to a mental disorder at the time of the offense.

In such cases, the legal system recognizes that the individual needs to be treated rather than punished in the traditional sense. The court has the discretion to release the individual if it determines that they do not pose a threat to public safety and have made sufficient progress regarding their mental health. This aligns with the fundamental aims of the NCRMD provisions within criminal law, which prioritize rehabilitation over retribution for individuals with mental health issues.

Other options such as prosecuting an appeal of the verdict, imposing an immediate sentence, or reexamining all evidence do not align with the NCRMD framework because the purpose of an NCRMD verdict is to assess the mental state of the accused at the time of the offense and to determine an appropriate response focused on treatment and public safety rather than punishment.