Criminal Law

👨‍⚖️Criminal Law Unit 2 – Criminal defenses

Criminal defenses are legal strategies used to avoid or reduce criminal liability. These include justification defenses like self-defense, excuse defenses like insanity, and procedural defenses that challenge the legality of proceedings or evidence. Understanding criminal defenses is crucial for legal professionals. The burden of proof rests on the prosecution, but defendants may raise affirmative defenses. Success depends on case facts, jurisdiction laws, and effective legal strategies.

Key Concepts in Criminal Defenses

  • Criminal defenses are legal strategies employed by defendants to avoid or mitigate criminal liability
  • Defenses can be categorized into justification, excuse, and procedural defenses
  • Justification defenses argue that the defendant's actions were legally justified under the circumstances (self-defense)
  • Excuse defenses acknowledge the wrongfulness of the act but argue that the defendant should not be held fully responsible due to extenuating circumstances (insanity)
  • Procedural defenses challenge the legality of the criminal proceedings or the evidence presented (violation of due process rights)
  • The burden of proof in criminal cases rests on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
  • Defendants may raise affirmative defenses, which require them to present evidence supporting their defense
  • The success of criminal defenses depends on the specific facts of the case and the jurisdiction's laws

Types of Criminal Defenses

  • Criminal defenses can be broadly categorized into three main types: justification, excuse, and procedural defenses
  • Justification defenses argue that the defendant's actions were legally justified and should not be considered a crime (necessity, self-defense)
  • Excuse defenses acknowledge the wrongfulness of the act but argue that the defendant should not be held fully responsible due to extenuating circumstances (insanity, duress)
  • Procedural defenses challenge the legality of the criminal proceedings or the evidence presented (lack of jurisdiction, statute of limitations)
  • Other defenses include alibi, which asserts that the defendant was elsewhere when the crime occurred
  • Mistake of fact defenses argue that the defendant lacked the necessary knowledge or intent to commit the crime
  • Entrapment defenses claim that the defendant was induced by law enforcement to commit a crime they would not have otherwise committed
  • The choice of defense strategy depends on the specific facts of the case and the available evidence

Justification Defenses

  • Justification defenses argue that the defendant's actions, although typically illegal, were legally justified under the circumstances
  • Self-defense is a common justification defense, allowing individuals to use reasonable force to protect themselves from imminent harm
    • The force used must be proportional to the threat faced
    • Duty to retreat laws in some jurisdictions require individuals to attempt to escape before using force
  • Defense of others allows individuals to use force to protect another person from imminent harm
  • Necessity defense argues that the defendant's actions were necessary to prevent a greater harm from occurring (breaking into a car to rescue a child from extreme heat)
  • Law enforcement officers may use justification defenses when using force in the line of duty, provided their actions are reasonable and necessary
  • Justification defenses, if successful, result in an acquittal as the defendant's actions are deemed legally justified

Excuse Defenses

  • Excuse defenses acknowledge the wrongfulness of the act but argue that the defendant should not be held fully responsible due to extenuating circumstances
  • Insanity defense asserts that the defendant lacked the mental capacity to understand the nature or wrongfulness of their actions at the time of the crime
    • Legal standards for insanity vary by jurisdiction (M'Naghten Rule, Model Penal Code)
    • Successful insanity defenses often result in commitment to a mental health facility rather than prison
  • Duress defense argues that the defendant committed the crime under the threat of imminent harm or death from another person
  • Intoxication defense may be used to argue that the defendant lacked the necessary intent to commit the crime due to voluntary or involuntary intoxication
  • Infancy defense asserts that the defendant was too young to understand the nature and consequences of their actions
  • Excuse defenses, if successful, may result in reduced charges, mitigated sentences, or alternative sentencing options

Procedural Defenses

  • Procedural defenses challenge the legality of the criminal proceedings or the evidence presented
  • Violations of constitutional rights, such as the right to remain silent or the right to counsel, can lead to the exclusion of evidence or dismissal of charges
  • Unlawful search and seizure defenses argue that evidence was obtained in violation of the defendant's Fourth Amendment rights
  • Chain of custody defenses challenge the handling and documentation of evidence, questioning its reliability
  • Statute of limitations defenses assert that the prosecution was initiated after the legally allowed time period for bringing charges
  • Selective prosecution defenses claim that the defendant was unfairly targeted for prosecution based on discriminatory factors
  • Procedural defenses, if successful, may result in the exclusion of evidence, dismissal of charges, or a mistrial

Burden of Proof in Criminal Defenses

  • In criminal cases, the burden of proof rests on the prosecution to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
  • Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecution must present sufficient evidence to overcome this presumption
  • Some defenses, known as affirmative defenses, shift the burden of proof to the defendant to present evidence supporting their defense
    • Examples of affirmative defenses include self-defense, insanity, and duress
    • The defendant must provide evidence to support these defenses by a preponderance of the evidence standard
  • Failure to meet the burden of proof can result in an acquittal or reduced charges
  • The burden of proof ensures that defendants' rights are protected and that convictions are based on strong evidence

Case Studies and Landmark Decisions

  • Case studies and landmark decisions provide valuable insights into the application of criminal defenses in real-world scenarios
  • The M'Naghten Rule, established in the 1843 case of Daniel M'Naghten, set the standard for the insanity defense in many jurisdictions
    • Under this rule, defendants must prove that they were unable to understand the nature and quality of their actions or that their actions were wrong
  • The 1984 case of Bernhard Goetz, known as the "Subway Vigilante," raised questions about the limits of self-defense
    • Goetz claimed self-defense after shooting four men who allegedly threatened him on a New York City subway
  • The 1997 case of Lorena Bobbitt, who severed her husband's penis, brought attention to the battered woman syndrome defense
    • Bobbitt argued that she acted in self-defense after years of abuse by her husband
  • The 2012 case of George Zimmerman, who fatally shot Trayvon Martin, sparked debates about stand-your-ground laws and racial profiling
    • Zimmerman successfully argued self-defense under Florida's stand-your-ground law
  • Understanding criminal defenses is crucial for legal professionals, as it enables them to develop effective defense strategies
  • Defense attorneys must thoroughly investigate the facts of the case and identify potential defenses based on the evidence and circumstances
  • Plea bargaining is a common legal strategy in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for reduced charges or a more lenient sentence
    • Plea bargains may involve the dismissal of certain charges or a recommendation for a specific sentence by the prosecution
  • Pretrial motions, such as motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges, can be used to challenge the admissibility of evidence or the legality of the proceedings
  • Expert witnesses, such as mental health professionals or forensic specialists, may be called to testify in support of certain defenses
  • Effective communication and persuasion skills are essential for presenting defenses in court and convincing the jury of their merit
  • Staying updated on changes in criminal defense laws and strategies is crucial for legal professionals to provide the best possible representation to their clients


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
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