Lesser Evils Defense - Law Dictionary Search Results
Home Dictionary Name: lesser evils defenselesser evils defense
lesser evils defense see defense ...
defense
defense 1 : the act or action of defending see also self-defense 2 a : the theory or ground that forms the basis for a defendant's opposition to an allegation in a complaint or to a charge in a charging instrument (as an indictment) ;also : the evidence and arguments presented supporting the defendant's opposition see also accord, alibi, assumption of risk, coercion, consent contributory negligence at negligence, denial, diminished capacity, duress, entrapment, estoppel, fraud, infancy, insanity, intoxication, laches, mistake, necessity, res judicata, statute of limitations absolute defense : complete defense in this entry af·fir·ma·tive defense : a defense that does not deny the truth of the allegations against the defendant but gives some other reason (as insanity, assumption of risk, or expiration of the statute of limitations) why the defendant cannot be held liable NOTE: The defendant bears the burden of proof as to affirmative defenses. choice of evils d...
choice of evils defense
choice of evils defense see defense ...
Justification defense
Justification defense, means a defense that arises when the defendant has acted in a way that the law does not seek to prevent. Traditionally, the following defenses were justifications: Consent, self-defence, defense of others, defense of property, necessity (Choice of evils), the use of force to make an arrest, and the use of force by public authority, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 871....
lesser
lesser : of less size, quality, degree, or significance ;specif : of lower criminal liability [duress has been held a good defense to such crimes as robbery, burglary and malicious mischief "W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr."] ...
necessity
necessity pl: -ties 1 a : the presence or pressure of circumstances that justify or compel a certain course of action ;esp : a need to respond or react to a dangerous situation by committing a criminal act b : an affirmative defense originating in common law that the defendant had to commit a criminal act because of the pressure of a situation that threatened a harm greater than that resulting from the act see also choice of evils defense at defense compare duress, undue influence 2 : something that is necessary esp. to subsistence [obligated to provide the necessities of food, clothing, and shelter] ...
lesser included offense
lesser included offense : a crime (as unlawful entry) that is by definition included in the commission of another crime (as burglary) which has additional elements and greater criminal liability called also included offense NOTE: A criminal defendant may be convicted of a lesser included offense even if not charged specifically with that crime. ...
imperfect self-defense
imperfect self-defense : a defense based on self-defense that does not shield the defendant from all liability but reduces the liability esp. because the defendant actually but unreasonably believed that he or she was in imminent danger of death or great bodily injury NOTE: Imperfect self-defense is not recognized in all jurisdictions. When it is successfully used in criminal cases it eliminates the element of malice, reducing the level of the offense from murder to manslaughter. ...
Evil
Having qualities tending to injury and mischief having a nature or properties which tend to badness mischievous not good worthless or deleterious poor as an evil beast and evil plant an evil crop...
Evilness
The condition or quality of being evil badness viciousness malignity vileness as evilness of heart the evilness of sin...
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