Self Defense - Law Dictionary Search Results
Home Dictionary Name: self defenseimperfect 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. ...
self-defense
self-defense 1 : the use of force to defend oneself 2 : an affirmative defense (as to a murder charge) alleging that the defendant used force necessarily to protect himself or herself because of a reasonable belief that the other party intended to inflict great bodily harm or death see also justification ...
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...
privilege
privilege [Latin privilegium law affecting a specific person, special right, from privus private + leg- lex law] 1 : a right, license, or exemption from duty or liability granted as a special benefit, advantage, or favor: as a : an exemption from liability where an action is deemed to be justifiable (as in the case of self-defense) or because of the requirements of a position or office ;also : the affirmative defense that an action is privileged compare excuse absolute privilege : a privilege that exempts a person from liability esp. for defamation regardless of intent or motive ;specif : a privilege that exempts high public officials (as legislators) from liability for statements made while acting in their official capacity without regard to intent or malice qualified privilege : a privilege esp. in the law of defamation that may be defeated esp. by a showing of actual malice called also conditional privilege b : an exemption from a requirement to disclose information (as fo...
homicide
homicide [Latin homicidium, from homo human being + caedere to cut, kill] 1 : a person who kills another 2 : the killing of one human being by another compare manslaughter, murder criminal homicide : homicide committed by a person with a criminal state of mind (as intentionally, with premeditation, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence) deliberate homicide : homicide caused purposely and knowingly used in Montana excusable homicide : homicide that is committed by accident or misfortune by a person doing a lawful act by lawful means with usual and ordinary caution and without any unlawful intent and that is excused under the law with no criminal punishment imposed ;also : justifiable homicide in this entry felonious homicide : homicide committed without justification homicide by misadventure : homicide that occurs as the result of an accident caused by a person doing a lawful act with no unlawful intent justifiable homicide : homicide that is committed in self-...
battered woman's syndrome
battered woman's syndrome : the psychological symptoms suffered by a woman repeatedly abused by a mate (as a husband) NOTE: Battered woman's syndrome is used as a defense to violent criminal charges (as homicide). Evidence of repeated abuse is used to show that the defendant acted in self-defense even though the threat or danger was not imminent. Battered woman's syndrome is also used as a mitigating factor in sentencing. ...
justification
justification 1 : the act or an instance of justifying 2 : something that justifies ;specif : a legally sufficient reason or cause (as self-defense) for an act that would otherwise be criminal or tortious 3 : the affirmative defense of having a legally sufficient justification compare excuse ...
retreat
retreat : the act or process of withdrawing from a dangerous situation NOTE: Many jurisdictions require that a person must have at least attempted a retreat, if it was possible to do so with safety, in order for a defense of self-defense to prevail. Retreat from an attack in one's own home, however, is usually not required. retreat vb ...
Self defence
See Self defense...
Chaud medley
The killing of a person in an affray in the heat of blood and while under the influence of passion thus distinguished from chance medley or killing in self defense or in a casual affray...
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