Justification (jurisprudence)
defence in a prosecution for a criminal offense
Justification in jurisprudence is an exception to the prohibition of committing certain offenses. When an act is justified, a person is not criminally liable even though their act would otherwise constitute an offense. For example, to intentionally commit a homicide would be considered murder. However, it is not considered a crime if committed in self-defense.
Quotes edit
- There are a thousand things might have been a justification.
- Lord Mansfield, The King v. Williams (1774), Lofft. 762; reported in James William Norton-Kyshe, Dictionary of Legal Quotations (1904), p. 146.
- Is ill-language a justification for blows?
- John Pratt, CJ., Case of Hugh Reason and another (1722), 16 How. St. Tr. 44; reported in James William Norton-Kyshe, Dictionary of Legal Quotations (1904), p. 147.
