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Defenses to Criminal Charges
You've probably heard of many defenses to criminal prosecution, but do you know exactly what they mean? Here you'll learn about ways defendants can escape conviction, from alibi to entrapment to self-defense.
Articles on Defenses to Crimes
Articles on Defenses to Crimes
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Defenses to Criminal Charges: An Overview
To convict a criminal defendant, the prosecutor must prove the guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Of course, the defendant gets an opportunity to present a defense. There are many defenses, from "I didn't do it" to "I did it, but it was self-defense” and beyond. Read more about some common defenses below.
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Being Drunk: A Defense to Criminal Charges?
Voluntary intoxication usually isn’t an excuse for criminal conduct.
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Amnesia: A Defense to Criminal Charges?
Criminal acts usually involve a mental state on the part of the defendant. Memory loss, though, does not affect one's mental state at the time of the crime.
Questions About Defenses
Questions About Defenses
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What are the elements of a crime?
Each crime has its own set of elements—components that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt in order to establish the defendant’s guilt.
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Does Self-Defense Apply When You Defend Someone Else?
The concepts of self-defense and defense of other are closely related.
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Read on to learn more about entrapment, including case examples and standards used to evaluate an entrapment claim.
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What Does 'Tolling' the Statute of Limitations Mean?
What are statutes of limitation in a criminal case, and does it mean to "toll the statute of limitations"?
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Is Involuntary Intoxication a Defense?
Being drunk or high usually isn’t a defense to criminal charges, but the law differs somewhat where defendants get drunk or high through no fault of their own.
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Is a Confession Alone Enough to Convict a Defendant?
A confession, standing alone, isn't enough for a conviction. Some corroborating evidence is needed, but it doesn't take much.
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Can I Claim Self-Defense If I Hit Someone First?
Even as the first person to use force, it’s possible to act in self-defense.
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The law of self-defense allows people to use force, and sometimes deadly force, to defend themselves from an imminent threat of harm.
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See More Duress & Necessity Articles![]()
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In criminal law, actions may sometimes be excused if the actor is able to establish a defense called duress.
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What Is the "Necessity" Defense?
Occasionally, a person faces a situation that requires doing something illegal in order to prevent serious harm.
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See More Immunity from Prosecution Articles![]()
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Immunity in Exchange for Testimony
“You have the right to remain silent” is perhaps the most recognized adage in our criminal justice system. This rule comes from the Fifth Amendment to the U.S.
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What Immunity Means for a Witness
Immunity from prosecution is an important tool for prosecutors. They can offer immunity to witnesses for all types of crimes, even serious ones like kidnapping and murder.
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