Which of the following is an excuse defense?

Asked by: Al Nienow DVM  |  Last update: December 20, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (17 votes)

Excuse defenses are used when the actor's mental state or belief demonstrate that he should not be held responsible for the criminal act. Excuse defenses include insanity, diminished capacity, duress, mistake, infancy and entrapment.

Which of the following is an excuse defense quizlet?

Duress, Intoxication, Entrapment, Age (too young), Insanity, and Creative excuses. An excuse defense applicable when the defendant is forced to commit a crime by threat or force.

Is a defense based on excuse?

Most criminal defenses fall under two categories, excuse, and exculpation. An excuse exempts a person from potential liability because that person belongs to a group sharing a common characteristic.

Is age an excuse defense?

In legal terms, it is referred to as a defence/defense of infancy, which is a form of defense known as an excuse so that defendants falling within the definition of an "infant" are excluded from criminal liability for their actions, if at the relevant time, they had not reached an age of criminal responsibility.

Is mistake of fact an excuse defense?

Under mistake of fact, the defendant contends that they did not have criminal intent because of a misunderstanding regarding a particular fact. Mistake of fact and mistake of law are both valid legal defenses a defendant might use to challenge certain criminal charges.

Defenses: Module 5 of 5

17 related questions found

Is ignorance an excuse defense?

It is a fundamental legal principle in the U.S. that ignorance of the law is no defense. If ignorance were accepted as an excuse, any person charged with a criminal offense could claim ignorance to avoid the consequences. Laws apply to every person within the jurisdiction, whether they are known and understood.

Can a fact be used as an excuse?

4 Consequently, a mistake of fact should constitute an excuse if and when it causes the actor to be ignorant of the law: whenever it causes an actor to be unaware that he is acting in a way the law does not permit him to act, or that he is failing to act in a way it demands he act.

Is insanity an excuse defense true or false?

The insanity defense refers to a defense that a defendant can plead in a criminal trial. In an insanity defense, the defendant admits the action but asserts a lack of culpability based on mental illness. The insanity defense is classified as an excuse defense, rather than a justification defense.

What is the defense of age?

Many states recognize the defense of infancy. Infancy asserts that the defendant is not subject to criminal prosecution because he or she is too young to commit a crime.

What are 3 types of excusable or justifiable defenses?

The law says that people are justified in taking a life when:
  • they act in self-defense,
  • they defend their home or property, and / or.
  • they are trying to make a citizen's arrest.

What is the difference between a reason and an excuse?

There is a fine line between reason and excuse. A 'Reason' is considered a fair and logical justification for not participating in something. An 'Excuse' is a pretence or subterfuge that can logically be overcome.

Is necessity a justification or excuse defense?

Because the defense of necessity is essentially a justification for the criminal act, it is imperative that the defendant had no other realistic options available to him at the time the criminal act was committed. If he did, his criminal actions would not be justified.

What are examples of justification and excuse defense?

An example is that breaking into someone's home during a fire in order to rescue a child inside, is justified. If the same act is done in the reasonable but mistaken belief that there was a fire, then the act is excused.

What is the duress excuse defense?

Duress is the potential legal defense in which the defendant argues that he or she should not be held responsible or criminally liable for whatever criminal act was committed because the act was committed only out of an immediate fear of injury.

Is self-defense an excuse or a justification in the context of a defense against criminal charges?

Although self-defense first appeared in law as an excuse, in the 20th century it has been classified as a justification. Justified conduct is otherwise criminal conduct that under specifiable circumstances does not harm society.

What are the three elements of defense?

Self-defense can be broken down into three elements; the immediacy of your physical force to protect yourself, your use or threatened use of no more physical force than would have appeared necessary, and your justification in the threat or use of physical force only while the danger continues.

What is the rule of defense?

The law permits use of reasonable force to protect one's person or property. If force is used for self-defence they will not be liable for harm.

Why is 18 the legal age of adulthood?

In 47 states, the age of majority—the age at which a person has the legal rights and responsibilities of an adult—is 18. Why is 18 considered the age of adulthood? Because that's when people get to vote. Suffrage has long been tied to adulthood and the age of majority in the United States.

Can insanity be a defense?

Insanity defense is a legal concept, not a clinical one (medical one). This means that just suffering from a mental disorder is not sufficient to prove insanity. The defendant has the burden of proving the defense of insanity by a “preponderance of the evidence” which is similar to a civil case.

What is an example of insanity Defence?

John Hinckley Jr., who was charged with attempting to assassinate the 40th president, was acquitted by reason of insanity. His defense attorneys argued that Hinckley had been obsessed with the movie “Taxi Driver” and its leading actress Jodie Foster.

Is temporary insanity still a defense?

If a defendant's mental state meets the McNaghten test, it doesn't matter whether it was a permanent condition or a temporary one—even if it lasted only a few hours. Temporary insanity qualifies for the California insanity defense just as a permanent mental condition does.

What are examples of an excuse?

The teacher excused the class from homework that day. Nothing can excuse that kind of rudeness. Her father's illness excused her absence. Noun What's your excuse for being so late?

What is the word for false excuse?

Some common synonyms of pretext are alibi, apologia, apology, excuse, and plea. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

What is an example of make an excuse?

For example

He got to work late and made some excuse about being stuck in traffic. What excuse did he make for not having the money he owes us this time?

Why is ignorance not an excuse?

There's an important legal principle that says “ignorance of the law is no excuse.” That's right: you can't defend your actions by arguing you didn't know they were illegal, even if you honestly did not realize you were breaking the law.