Simple English definitions for legal terms
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True defense is a legal term that refers to a defendant's method of opposing the plaintiff or prosecution in a trial. It can also refer to a defendant's stated reason why the plaintiff or prosecutor has no valid case. For example, a defendant may claim that they were not present at the scene of the crime when it occurred.
Another type of defense is an affirmative defense, which is an assertion of facts and arguments that, if true, will defeat the plaintiff's or prosecution's claim, even if all the allegations in the complaint are true. For example, a defendant may claim self-defense in a criminal case.
There are also various types of defenses, such as:
These examples illustrate how a defendant can use different types of defenses to oppose the plaintiff or prosecution in a trial and avoid punishment based on a legal excuse or justification.